Castano edges out Stenson in playoff

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano announced himself as the next big Spanish talent by birdieing the 18th hole to win a playoff against Sweden's Henrik Stenson and claim the Asian Open title today.

A sublime chip to within a foot of the pin laid the foundation for the 25-year-old's victory in the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event after he and his playing partner had finished tied on seven-under-par after 72 holes.
   
The 2005 European Tour rookie of the year watched as Stenson missed a birdie putt then held his nerve to claim a second tour title after his Dutch Open triumph last year.
   
"It's been a great day, one I will always remember," said Fernandez, who finished second at the China Open last week.
   
Eight-times European order of merit winner Colin Montgomerie shared third place with Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima on six-under after a final round 68, while New Zealand's Mahal Pearce and Britons Simon Dyson and Paul Casey were a further shot back.
   
"When you see the leaderboard, all the players I've beaten today it's unbelievable," Fernandez added.
   
A beautiful chip in from 30 yards at the 16th combined with a bogey for Stenson saw Fernandez top the leaderboard for the first time on a day when the lead changed hands several times.
   
"It was one of those shots that you know as soon as you hit it you know it's going to be good," the Spaniard said. "I didn't expect it to be that good though."
   
Stenson, who had led after each of the first three rounds, was not finished yet, though, and birdied the 18th to claw his rival back and send the tournament into a sudden-death playoff.

Stenson, the world number 15, had looked to be cruising to his second tournament win of the season when he hit three successive birdies from the sixth to lead the chasing pack by three shots.
   
Disaster struck at the ninth, however, when his second shot hit a tree and sent his ball some 70 metres back into a water hazard.
   
After finding the green in five shots, the rattled Swede three-putted for a triple-bogey that wiped out his advantage over the five players sharing second.
   
"I'm still quite happy with the way I kept going after the triple bogey," Stenson said.
   
Scenting the chance of victory, the players in the mix swapped the lead over the back nine but it was Fernandez, after parring his first 13 holes, who emerged to claim the lead.
   
The cool Spaniard had a birdie at the 14th in addition to the 16th and finished with a two-under-par 70, a shot better than Stenson for the day.
  
Dubliner Peter Lawrie finished a respectable tied 13th on one under after today's 71 made up for Saturday's disappointing 75. David Higgins was next of the Irish trio who made the cut on two over after a final round 74, while Damien McGrane was a shot further back after shooting 73.