From Asian Tour
Kieran Vincent made it a unique brotherly double on the Asian Tour today, when he claimed the International Series Vietnam at KN Golf Links – just 10 months after his brother Scott won the International Series England.
The Zimbabwean, in just his second year as a professional, holed a decisive 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to beat Anirban Lahiri from India and Australian Kevin Yuan by one stroke.
Vincent shot a six-under-par 66, for a four-round aggregate of 19-under, while Lahiri carded a 64 and Yuan, who missed a similar length birdie putt on the last to force a sudden-death play-off, a 68.
Japan’s Takumi Kanaya had started the day with a three-shot advantage but, unlike the International Series Oman in February where he triumphed after also holding the third-round lead, he struggled on the back nine and closed with a 73 to tie for fourth, on 16-under, with American Michael Maguire (66), Korea’s Taehee Lee (67) and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai (67), Pawin Ingkhapradit (68) and Jazz Janewattananond (70).
“It is surreal right now,” said the 25-year-old Vincent, who won US$360,000.
“I think there are so many people I have to thank at this stage that have put so much time and effort into me that they deserve it more than myself.
“I feel like I am a lead singer in a band of people that have done so much for me. I am very appreciative. I don’t think it is going to sink in for a while.”
The Zimbabwean’s putter seemed to go cold on Saturday, but he bounced back today with six birdies and no dropped shots.
About his final putt, he said: “That is the game of golf, you win some, you lose some, some go in, some don’t, and I am just very thankful it went in at the right time, when I needed it, and so I was just lucky enough to keep giving myself opportunities. Yeah I could not have dreamed it any better.
He’s moved into second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OoM) and third on the International Series OoM, giving him a chance to emulate his brother Scott who won last year’s International Series merit list and is now playing on the LIV Golf League.
