JAKARTA : Bernd Wiesberger of Austria yesterday sealed a dramatic win at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters with a five-under-par 67 to defeat a persistent Ernie Els of South Africa by one shot.
Wiesberger won his second title in Asia courtesy of some exquisite ball striking as he totalled 15-under-par 273 at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event which was staged at the majestic Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Els, the reigning Open Championship winner, settled for second place after carding 68 while overnight leader Daisuke Kataoka of Japan claimed third place with a round of 70 to finish on 275. Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand was a further three shots back in fourth after registering 69.
The towering Wiesberger, whose coach Philippe De Busschere is based in Indonesia, credited his acute iron play for his victory and dedicated the win to his grandfather who passed away a year ago.
"I was struggling in the beginning after my birdie on one," he said.
"But at the turn I got a bit of momentum going because I was confident with my ball striking."
He made the turn in 34 but tightened his grip on the third edition of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters with an eagle three on the 12th hole.
Els, ranked 24th in the world, was one-over after five holes but put on a battling display with birdies on six and nine followed by an eagle three on 12 which he putted from 30 feet from the fringe. He birdied the last to finish sole second.
"I played and fought hard. I wasn't quite at my best but had a good time," Els said. "I didn't hit my iron shots close enough especially at the start. I was one over through five holes and had to battle back all the time.
"A win would have been unbelievable but second is not all that bad. This has given me something and it shows my game is going in the right direction.
"I'm starting to feel really good about my game."
Kataoka, who has never led in a tournament before, felt nervous on the first tee but managed to pull off his best performance since turning professional in 2007.
His third-placed finish matched his career's best on the Asian Tour at the 2011 Taiwan Masters.
"I'm not disappointed with how I played this week. I played very well and hit a lot of good shots," he said.
"When we teed off, I felt very nervous but I told myself not to be nervous and to try and concentrate on my game. I didn't sleep very well last night."
He hopes the experience of playing with multiple major champion Els will provide him with the impetus to lead him to a first victory on the region's premier Tour which is celebrating its 10th season this year.
"I had a good experience," he said. "It was fantastic to play with Wiesberger and Els.
FINAL ROUND SCORES
273 _ Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 67-72-67-67.
274 _ Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70-68-68.
275 _ Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 70-69-66-70
278 _ Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 69-65-75-69
280 _ Angelo Que (PHI) 70-70-70-70, Ryan Mccarthy (AUS) 70-70-70-70, Mo Joong-Kyung (KOR) 72-69-68-71
281 _ Unho Park (AUS) 68-72-70-71, Hwang Inn-Choon (KOR) 66-74-70-71, Jake Higginbottom (AUS) 69-69-71-72, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 71-69-69-72
282 _ Anthony Kang (USA) 73-71-69-69, Scott Barr (AUS) 68-68-75-71, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 69-72-70-71, Jason Knutzon (USA) 68-74-69-71, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 69-68-73-72, Hung Chien-Yao (TWN) 70-68-70-74, Richard T Lee (CAN) 72-68-67-75
283 _ Rikard Karlberg (SWE) 73-71-70-69, Iain Steel (MAS) 70-73-70-70, Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 73-70-69-71, Arnond Vongvanij (THA) 68-74-69-72