Abraham Ancer lost a five-shot lead but still managed to win his first LIV golf event after a play-off in Hong Kong on Sunday.
The Mexican produced a final round two-under 72, which allowed Australia’s Cameron Smith (66) and England’s Paul Casey (64) to join him at 13 under.
But Ancer regrouped on the first play-off hole, sinking a 4-foot putt for birdie and his sixth professional victory.
“Man, I made it so hard on myself,” the 33-year-old said.
Ancer made only his second birdie of the day with a superb approach before sealing victory in the first LIV Golf event played in Hong Kong.
“The ball hit wasn’t there [today]“But mentally I was really strong so I felt really good,” he added. “I stayed in it and hit the right shot at the right time during the play-offs.”
Casey hit a spectacular bunker shot for birdie on his final hole, the 16th, to tie Ancer and Smith, only to find a fairway bunker off the tee in the play-off.
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who won two of the previous three LIV events this season, finished with a score of seven under (63) to finish one shot from the lead, alongside Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz.
