Wang Jeung Hun, the Korean teenage talent, who lives and trains in the Philippines at Riviera Golf and Country Club, reigned supreme at the 16th DHL National Philippine Amateur Golf Championship. Wang took the champion's trophy with 18 under par and a total of 270 (66, 69, 69, 66).
2nd place went to Clyde Mondilla with 14 under par at 274 (71, 68, 69, 66), while Jobim Carlos staged a great comeback on his home course from a 1st day 74 to take 3rd with 8 under par at 280 (74, 69, 69, 68).
Singaporean national team member Gregory Foo also delivered a strong closing with 3 under par on the last day of competition, tallying his total at 285 for a 5th place overall (73, 72, 71, 69).
Coming from his success of making the cut during his very first major professional tournament, the recent 2010 PHILIPPINE OPEN, Keanu started slow at the 2011 DHL PHILIPPINE AMATEUR OPEN to tie Miguel Tabuena, the 2010 Asian Games silver medalist, for 10th place at 1 over par 289. The 17-year old Tabuena, who decided to turn PRO in March, handed in scores of 73, 68, 73 and 75, while Keanu finished with 74, 70, 72 and 73.
Organized by NGAP, the National Golf Association of the Philippines, the championship was hosted by Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna from February 8 to 11.
Attendance included the top echelon of Filipino amateurs as well as representatives from various Asian nations, including national team members from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Korea. Korea fielded the largest overseas contingent of players with 35 participants, led by teenage talent Wang Jeung Hun.
The now 15-year old Keanu, who plays for GC Am Reichswald Nuernberg, Germany, has undergone swing adjustments during the past few months under the guidance of his coach, Asian Teaching PRO Michael Que. Said Keanu: "I need to further steady my swing base and at the same time I am working diligently in the gym to strengthen my physique."
First signs of Keanu's improvements appeared during the Philippine Open. Although Keanu was still spraying shots on a good number of holes, his average of 3-plus birdies per round consistently underlines the promise of his talent.
