The Englishman who now plays on the LIV hoped to win one of the four places for The Open put into play in this Asian Tour tournament but never really managed to get involved in the fight.
Taichi Kho, Michael Hendry, Travis Smyth et Bio Kim qualified for the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool at Hong Kong Golf Club after the tournament was reduced to 54 holes.
Hong Kong’s Kho won the weather-troubled tournament with a total of 12 under par.
He is ahead of the two Australians Hendry and Smyth who also win their ticket for Hoylake.
The South Korean Kim Bio, 164th player in the world, and the Filipino Miguel Tabuena, 629th in the hierarchy, finished tied for fourth place but it was Kim who reclaimed the last spot for the 151st The Open by virtue of her best world ranking.
Poulter off the mark
With a total of -1 in 3 rounds the Englishman Ian Poulter who made the trip to try to snatch a place in the 4th major of the season finished 7 strokes behind the last qualifier. Henrik Stenson who was also present is exempted as a former winner. It was at Royal Troon in 2016.
Finally, hope is not lost for Tabuena since any golfer who has won a qualifying place and who subsequently obtains an exemption before the closing date for entries for The Open on June 1, will see his place re-allocated to the first golfer not exempted, appearing on a list of reservists determined in each qualifying event.
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