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• South Korean claims maiden title at BMW PGA Championship
• Ex US Amateur champ sets new tournament scoring record
• “This is like a fifth major to me,” says delighted new champ

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Byeong-Hun An claimed the BMW PGA Championship in record-breaking fashion at Wentworth to seal his maiden European Tour victory.

The 23-year-old from South Korea carded a superb final round of 65 to finish on 21-under-par, beating the previous tournament record by two shots, finishing six ahead of veterans Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thongchai Jaidee.

In doing so, An – who became the youngest winner of the US Amateur Championship in 2009 at the age of 17 – becomes only the second player to win the tour’s flagship event in their rookie season, emulating Scotland’s Scott Drummond who did likewise in 2004. He also becomes the first Asian to claim the title.

Afterwards, the new champ hailed his ‘life-changing victory’.

“This is like a fifth major to me,” he added. “It’s the biggest title I have won and gets me into a lot of events. I’m really excited and over the moon right now.

BMW PGA Championship - Day Four

“I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t know that a win was this close. It came all of a sudden. I’ve been playing well all year but I never thought I would win this event.

“I played really well today. I was nervous at the start of the day but confident on every hole because I was hitting it well and putting nicely. I made some mistakes but being bogey-free I think is very good out here.

“I love that I’m the first Asian to win this event. It’s great.” – Byeong-Hun An

“It was great to go into the last hole with a six-shot lead and I love that I’m the first Asian to win this event. It’s great.”

Marc Warren was the top Scot, finishing in a tie for 18th on six-under-par, with his fellow Glasgow man Scott Jamieson a further two shots worse off.

BMW PGA Championship - Day Four

Meanwhile, England’s Chris Wood still had reason for cheer, despite finishing fourth, two shots further adrift of Jimenez and Jaidee.

The 27-year-old aced the 178-yard 14th in the final round to win a brand new BMW i8 sports car.

“All the players look on the 14th on Tuesday when we have a practice round and we think, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice, a BMW i8?’” he said afterwards. “You never think that it’s going to happen to you.”

Byeong-Hun An :: A new star?

What did you make of Byeong-Hun An‘s BMW PGA Championship victory? Do you think he will go on to become a major force in the game? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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