China’s Marty Dou secures PGA Tour card for next season, sets sights on sealing No 1 spot on Korn Ferry Tour
- Dou shoots final round 5-under-par 67 to claim The Ascendant trophy by one stroke ahead of compatriot Carl Yuan
- Third Korn Ferry victory propels Dou to second in rankings behind Yuan, who had already earned his place on the main tour
China’s Marty Dou Zecheng is heading back to the PGA Tour after a final round five-under-par 67 saw him win the The Ascendant tournament by one shot ahead of compatriot Carl Yuan.
Dou’s career third title on the Korn Ferry Tour saw him become the fourth Asian golfer this season after Yuan and Korean duo, Seonghyeon Kim and Byeong Hun An, to secure cards for the main tour for next season.
Yuan consolidated his No 1 ranking on the Korn Ferry Tour following his seventh top-10 of the season, after he launched a back-nine charge which saw him also card a 67.
For Dou, victory at TPC Colorado gets him back to the PGA Tour four years after he spent a season competing against some of the best golfers in the world.
“I’m definitely more prepared than that year because I’ve never felt as consistent as I am right now,” said the 25-year-old, who finished on 17-under. “I think I can compete with them now.”
Tied for the overnight lead with Ryan McCormick and Dawson Armstrong, who both closed with disappointing 73s, Dou was near flawless and took a two-shot lead into the final hole, which he bogeyed.
Dou’s return to the winner’s circle came after missing the cut in his past three starts, with the nerves of battling it out for a PGA Tour card getting the better of him.