Swede Henrik Stenson has secured his best World Ranking best finish in well over two years in finishing runner-up in the Asian Tour season-ending PIF Saudi Open.
Stenson posted a closing six-under 65 to finish at 15-under and two behind Thai-born champion Dewit ‘David’ Boriboonsub.
The ultra-talened 19-year-old Boriboonsub signed for a closing 64 to comfortable win by three shots at 18-under on the Saudi Club course in Riyadh.
The win is Boriboonsub third official Official Golf World Ranking victory in succession, and on three different tours, having arrived in the Saudi capital winning last fortnight’s Saudi Armco Invitational and then last week’s 51st Thailand Open.
Henrik Stenson on his way to finishing runner-up in the PIF Saudi Open. Photo – Asian Tour.
Boriboonsub’s first win was this month, and also in Saudi Arabia, on the secondary Asian Tour’s Development Tour while his Thai Open win was on the All Thailand Tour, and where he has two other wins since turning pro.
“It is an unbelievable feeling because it is incredible winning three weeks in a row. It is like magic!” said the smiling Thai teenager, whose English name is David, and who pocketed a US$180,000 winner’s prize.
“I was really confident before coming to this week because I just know my game. I hit my drives good, my irons and putting were also good, so my goal this week was to win. Fortunately, I made it.
“[At Aramco] I told my caddie that there is nothing to lose now. If we didn’t make this tournament we had to go to Q School but I just tried to play my best and hopefully just make top three but luckily I won it.”
The PIF Saudi Open was only Denwit’s 15th start on the Asian Tour, and he mirrors the performance of American Berry Henson back in 2011 by winning on the Asian Tour a fortnight after claiming an ADT event.
Stenson, playing in the third from last group out, made a valiant late run making four consecutive birdies from the 12th and another on 17 but simply ran out of holes.
“It’s been a good week here in Riyadh. It’s been my first trip to the capital, it’s been nice to see something else than Jeddah as well in that sense, where we played a lot of golf both the Saudi International and the LIV tournaments,” said the Swede.
“So nice visit, a lot of friendly people. I came in with two months off, so it was a good opportunity for me to kind of see where we’re at and what needs to be worked more on when we start preparing for next year in the middle of January.”
His appearance in the event was only Stenson’s sixth OWGR ranking event this year, and he heads home climbing from 270th to around the new World No. 228th ranked player – not that Stenson will be celebrating.
