Sports News

Catlin cruises to Hong Kong Open title as Lahiri's penalty costs him a Masters chance

American John Catlin won the Link Hong Kong Open on Sunday by five shots, closing with a six-under-par 64 to finish 20 under at Fanling, the South China Morning Post reports. Hongkonger Matthew Cheung and Finland's Kalle Samooja shared second at 15 under.

The SCMP had expected a final-day shoot-out, but there was none. It called it a historic day for golf in the city, with Cheung's finish the best yet by a Hong Kong player. In a second piece, it described Catlin reading the names of past winners, including Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Rory McIlroy, and calling his win “truly special”.

Golf Monthly, from Britain, looked at what was at stake. The win gave Catlin, a LIV Golf reserve, places at the Masters and the Open Championship. India's Anirban Lahiri had co-led after three rounds but was given a one-stroke penalty for accidentally moving his ball before a chip on the 18th. He then started Sunday with a double bogey and finished tied 17th at nine under. Catlin told reporters it was an event he “felt like I could do well at”, even though he had not done well there before.

How each outlet framed it

• South China Morning Post — the home angle: a historic week for Hong Kong golf, and Cheung's best local finish.
• Golf Monthly — the majors angle: Catlin's Masters and Open places, and how Lahiri lost his chance.

What we don't know yet: whether Lahiri will have another chance to earn a major place before the Masters.