Taiwanese journeyman Lin Keng-chi overcame a three-shot deficit to beat overnight leader Toru Suzuki in a playoff Sunday, winning the Aiful Cup tournament for his first career victory on the Japanese tour.
Lin birdied the 17th hole to move into a share of the lead and went on to edge Suzuki with a birdie on the second extra hole at the Ajigasawa Kogen Golf Club after both players finished 72 holes at 18-under-par 270.
Lin made a birdie-birdie start to the final round and deservedly clinched the victory with a blemish-free 68, while Suzuki let his sixth career win slip away with three straight bogeys from No. 9 after picking up four shots through six holes in a round of 71.
"Mr. Suzuki was playing well on the front nine, making me think there was little chance to win so I went for second place. But his bogeys encouraged me to continue playing to the very end," Lin said.