Not only lucky and good, he’s Lin and mean

MANILA, Philippines - Lin Wen-tang hit some very difficult shots in the closing holes yesterday and was rewarded with the handsome Solaire Open trophy at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

“I was very lucky in the last two holes,” said the Taiwanese, who sank a straight 12-foot par putt on the 18th to seal his first win on Philippine soil and sixth in the Asian Tour.

The veteran of the 2008 Philippine Open had a final-day 73 for a 285 total and a one-shot edge over Canada’s Richard Lee (69) and Thailand’s Thammanoon Sriroj (73).

Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun was all alone in fourth (69-287) while Filipinos Elmer Salvador (74) , Mars Pucay (71) and Miguel Tabuena (72) gladly occupied the next three spots.

Lin’s four-day effort on the difficult and sun-baked East course of Wack Wack was worth $54,000. 

He spread his arms after his final putt went in, acknowledged the cheers from the small but appreciative gallery and let out a big yell before walking off the green.

Lin wasn’t only lucky. He was very good. 

On the 17th, a 418-yard par-four, Lin hit his drive way to the left and into the trees. But instead of playing out, he sent his ball flying over the trees and into the green, some 25 feet away from the cup.

Lin nailed the putt for birdie and a share of the lead with Sriroj heading to the 18th. 

Then again, the eventual champion found himself surrounded by trees after an errant drive then played out but hit another tree and lay in a stymied position.

He pulled out 9-iron and punched from 132 yards. Like on cue, the ball landed just before the green and rolled to within 12 feet to the left of the flag, setting up the winning birdie. 

Lin compared that shot to the one he hit in 2008 en route to victory in the Hong Kong Open and against a field that included Rory McIlroy. 

Those guarding the 18th green were anticipating a playoff between Lin and Sriroj but the player from Thailand wasn’t ready. He was in terrible position to hit his third shot into the green for a bogey.

Sriroj and Lee took home $25,950 each while Wang earned $15,000.

Salvador, who was in contention until the final day, shook his head after a bogey on the 14th and a double bogey on the 16th but should be happy with his $12,300 paycheck. Pucay and Tabuena can also celebrate after taking home $8,077 each.

“I played well this week especially with the expectations I had. I’m very proud of myself. It was a good tournament for me and definitely a very good experience. I managed to hang in there today,” said Tabuena.

Tabuena is only 18 years old and the youngest player in the Asian Tour. He fired rounds of 73-72-72-72 this week for a 289 total which most of the seasoned pros, both foreign and local, couldn’t match. 

Lin entered the final day protecting a one-stroke lead over Sriroj, and said it wasn’t easy for him as well.

“I told myself yesterday that if God loves me he will let me win. I’m really glad I did it. The last two holes were really exciting and I can’t believe it until now,” said Lin.

In the 2008 Philippine Open, Lin was in contention but blew it away with a mind-boggling 12 on the par-3 No. 8 (then No. 17) where its dome-shaped green makes it very difficult to land a tee-shot.

Over the last four days in this Solaire Open, he was only one-over on the same hole.

“It was really challenging for me to come back here and play this time. I’m glad I had my revenge on this course,” said Lin.

While he made difficult shots look easy on the course, Lin found it very hard to answer questions from the media later on, and needed an interpreter.

He laughed a lot during the post-match interview and threw the final question. 

“Where can I get a massage?” he asked.

He needed one.