Gonzalo Fernandez-CastanoEric Gay
SINGAPORE - Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano won the rain-delayed Singapore Open on Monday, beating Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff.
After finishing level at 14-under 199 Sunday after the third and final round, Pagunsan and Fernandez-Castano teed off on the playoff hole before play was suspended for 90 minutes because of rain and the threat of lighting. The storm let up briefly, allowing players to hit one more shot before more rain stopped play again and forced the playoff into Monday.
Fernandez-Castano had started Sunday with a three-shot lead but faltered with three bogies on the back nine, allowing Pagunsan into contention.
"It's a great relief, especially the way I played yesterday, having a four-shot lead and spoiling it all," Fernandez-Castano said. "It has been a tough year and I got a monkey off my back. It has been three years without a victory and it means a lot to me."
Pagunsan had a chance to win on the first playoff hole but missed a short birdie putt.
"I thought to myself, 'This is my big chance to win,' but I missed it," Pagunsan said. "It was very close."
Fernandez-Castano earned $990,520 for his fifth victory on the European Tour. The $6 million event also was sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
Anthony Kim (64) and Louis Oosthuizen (65) were equal third, a stroke back.
Edoardo Molinari, Danny Lee and Joost Luiten tied for fifth at 12 under. Graeme McDowell finished 8 under, Ernie Els was 6 under and Phil Mickelson shot a 70 on Sunday to tie for 33rd at 5 under.
Long rain delays on Friday and Saturday forced organizers to shorten the tournament from four rounds to three.