Before he sat for his press conference, Jin Cheng looked up at the six large pictures of past Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winners. Next year, his portrait will also be there as he became the second Chinese golfer to win the tournament after Sunday’s fourth round was cancelled because of typhoon Mujigae . The 17-year-old emulated the success of teammate Guan Tianlang, who won the 2012 as a 13-year-old, and earned the right to take his place at next year’s US Masters at Augusta National. Jin Cheng takes third-round lead; may be declared winner "Well, this win just came so fast and sudden,” said Jin, who shot a record 62 in the first round. “I was ready for a round today and unfortunately the weather didn’t work out and it’s my pleasure to win this week, I really enjoyed it. “I remember watching the Masters on TV a long time ago and to be going there is really amazing for me, man. I’m so excited and really looking forward to it.” Jin's 11-under-par 199 was one stroke better than the 10-under of Australians Ryan Ruffels and Cameron Davis, who were hitting their stride just as the Chinese player showed signs of fragility. With the threat of cancellation a reality after Saturday’s third round, 27 golfers were still able to tee off at 6.40am yesterday as scheduled. However, after the leading group completed three holes, heavy rain and winds forced them off at about 7.40am. At 11am, organisers decided to cancel the fourth round and turn it into a 54-hole competition. Although Jin said he didn’t realise it at the time, he will forever look back at his brilliant chip on Saturday from off the 18th green to within inches of the cup as a key moment in the tournament . Ruffels and Davis had finished their rounds, both with three-under 67s to put them in a three-way tie with Jin at 10 under. However, China’s number one amateur tapped in for birdie for a one-shot lead at 11-under, which he was spared from defending by yesterday’s fourth-round cancellation. Ruffels, who played in the same group Jin during the first two rounds, paid tribute to the Chinese golfer. “We’ve known each other for a long time, we are about the same age and we’ve gone through a lot together in junior golf,” said Ruffels. “We get along great. He’s a heck of a golfer and a great guy and to shoot 62 in the first round and keep the lead is amazing.” Organisers said they had tried their best to complete the fourth round, waiting for as long as possible before deciding to cancel play. “It was a very difficult decision to make as we wanted to see the completion of 72 holes as much as all the competitors did,” said David Cherry, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. “The competition committee was committed to completing the final round on Sunday if at all possible, however the extreme weather conditions meant that completing in daylight would not be possible.” We have identified a very worthy and talented champion in Jin Cheng. This is a moment of celebration. He showed his tremendous skill during the championship and we look forward to welcoming him to Augusta next April Billy Payne, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the US Masters, said Jin deserved his victory despite playing only 54 holes. “While weather regrettably shortened the event, we have identified a very worthy and talented champion in Cheng Jin,” said Payne. “This is a moment of celebration. He showed his tremendous skill during the championship and we look forward to welcoming him to Augusta next April.” For Ruffels and Davis, they have the consolation of joining Jin at the British Open qualifying series at Royal Troon in July. “We are very much looking forward to welcoming Cheng and the runners-up to Royal Troon,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A. The Australians tried to look on the bright side but the heartbreak was hard to suppress. Both golfers said the experience of playing in Hong Kong on a tough course, and with the US Masters to aim for, offers valuable experience as their careers grow. “To play the way we did under the circumstances, the golf course was difficult and we feel like we can take on any golf course at the moment,” said Davis, this year’s Australian amateur champion. “The pressure to win with that kind of prize [US Masters place] on the line, that’s going to stick with you for a long time. To know you can play that well under the circumstances gives you a lot of confidence.” To play the way we did under the circumstances, the golf course was difficult and we feel like we can take on any golf course at the moment Cameron Davis Ruffels, the world amatuer No 8 and top-ranked player in the field, agreed with his teammate but was unable to hide his disappointment. “As amateurs this is our major. This is disappointing but it is a learning curve and we take a lot out of it going forward," he said. “I guess it’s not hard to tell that we’re both pretty gutted,” added Ruffels, the son of former Australian tennis pro Ray Ruffels. “Nothing we can do about the situation, the organiers did the best they could but there’s not much you can do when you have conditions lik that."
