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Arnold top of the class at OneAsia qualifying school

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australian Jamie Arnold stormed through to win the OneAsia Qualifying School in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Friday after leaving the best for last.

A final round three-under-par 68, his lowest round of the week at Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club, saw him win by a stroke from South Korean Eunho Youm and Mark Baldwin from the United States, who both carded 71.

Youm and Baldwin had started the day sharing the lead with Australian Michael Choi but failed to keep up with 32-year-old Arnold who fired four birdies and dropped one shot.

Choi, who returned a 73, and South Koreans Hogeon Lee and Jinwoo Park finished three behind the leader in joint fourth. Lee came in with a 70 and Park a 72.

"I am really happy, this will help map out the year," said Arnold, who finished the tournament one under.

"I stayed patient in difficult conditions. It was windy and the greens were firm. I hit the ball really good and actually missed a lot of putts. I could have been six under."

He heads back home to Atlanta, Georgia, next where he has lived for the past seven years.

"I will play some local events there and get ready for the Volvo China Open on OneAsia at the end of April," he added.

OneAsia will stage at least nine events this year with the winner of the Qualifying School eligible for all tournaments while players ranked second and third will be exempt for most events.

Players finishing from fourth to 20th spot will be eligible for membership and be exempt for some tournaments.

In addition, graduates will gain even greater access to tournament golf in the region following an exciting new tie up with the ASEAN PGA Tour.

The top 15 from the Qualifying School will be eligible to play in four ASEAN PGA events played in Thailand in 2016.

The tournaments are the Singha Hua Hin Open, the Singha Pattaya Open, the Singha Esan Open and the Singha Phuket Open.

These tournaments have long been some of the leading events on the ASEAN PGA Tour and are promoted by Sports Management Group (SMG) in Thailand.

OneAsia begins this year with the Volvo China Open at Topwin Golf & Country Club from April 28 to May 1. Endit