Swede edges Jack Thompson by one shot as Ervin Chang and Charles Porter tie for third; Japan’s Kazuki Higa clinches Order of Merit title
Bjorn Hellgren claimed the Saudi Open presented by PIF with a dramatic one-shot victory over Jack Thompson after a tense final round at Dirab Golf & Country Club, closing with a five-under-par 67 to finish on 23-under and holing a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th for his maiden Asian Tour title.
Thompson, tied with Hellgren at the start of the day, carded a 68 to finish second in the season-ending Asian Tour event, a result that secured his playing card for next year after he narrowly missed an eagle chance on the final hole.
Malaysia’s Ervin Chang tied for third with American Charles Porter, with Chang’s 68 lifting him from 75th to 41st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit to retain his card for next season, while Porter closed with a 69.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa wrapped up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title after a closing 68 saw him finish seventh, becoming the first Japanese player to win the prestigious award, as Hellgren’s breakthrough victory capped a long-awaited turnaround after several testing seasons on tour.