HONG KONG: Unheralded Australian Sam Brazel clinched the Hong Kong open in thrilling style Sunday, with a birdie at the last hole to win the biggest trophy of his career.
The world number 480 defeated Spanish Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello -- ranked 447 places above him -- on the 18th after agonisingly missing a birdie on the 17th.
Brazel, 37, whose partner died suddenly from bacterial meningitis in 2009, wept as he said: "This is for you guys," as he sent a message to his family after his improbable victory.
He had earlier said winning the $2 million Hong Kong Open would "mean the world" to him -- and his fellow Australian golfers including Scott Hend mobbed him on the final green to douse him in champagne.
Cabrera Bello had to settle for second place, finishing with a round of 268, just one behind Brazel's 267.
Australia's Andrew Dodt and England's Tommy Fleetwood were tied on an 11 under 269.
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