Ambush helps Alexander Bjork win, T14 for Shubhankar Sharma

Alexander Bjork rode a brilliant 65 to win the Volvo China Open. Shubhankar Sharma played with aggression and intent for his final round 68

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Shubhankar Sharma shot 68 to finish T14 in the Volvo China Open

28 April, 2018: Inter-continental travel can take a toll on the body. After a whirlwind run of events in North America, including his major debut in the Masters, Shubhankar Sharma spent much of his week nursing himself from fever and cold. After making a slow start in the Volvo China Open, he progressed steadily up the order, saving his best for Sunday. Shubhankar fired three birdies on the last four holes to secure another top twenty finish with a splendid 67.

Alexander Bjork ambushed the leaders with a spectacular final round 65 to earn a memorable one shot victory over Adrian Otaegui. Matt Wallace finished in joint third with Jordan Smith and Jorge Campillo.

Lucas Bjerregaard was also outstanding on Sunday. The Dane shot 64, despite a bogey on the fourth hole, to catapult himself into sixth position.

Jeunghun Wang, Jinho Choi, Paul Dunne and Ashun Wu rounded off the top ten at 14-under 274, four off the winning score.

Shubhankar played some impressive golf at the Topwin Golf & Country Club, putting together scores of 69-72-68-67 for an impressive run in the China Open.

“The week has been decent. It’s not great but it’s decent. I think I could have done a little bit better,” said the man from Chandigarh. “I left a few shots out there but that’s golf. I am happy that I finished in double digits under-par.

“I was sick earlier but not that sick. It was just slight fever and cold. It’s alright. I am happy to be leading the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings now but it’s still a long way to go for the season. I just have to keep building on my position. We will see what happens.”

Except for a bogey at the 11th, Shubhankar played some pristine golf as he emerged as the best placed Indian in the field.

“I am going home for three weeks after this and then I will be heading to the United States for The Colonial. My goal is to win another tournament,” added Shubhankar. “That’s the long-term goal. I just have to keep playing well and have more and more solid weeks leading up to the end of the year.”

On Sunday, Shubhankar produced six birdies as he tried to force his way up the order. One at either end of the front nine and four more in the the last seven holes decorated his card of 67.

Arjun Atwal is playing with renewed confidence in recent weeks. He shot one under 71 in the final round to finish the week in T32 at 8-under 280.

Gaganjeet Bhullar began with a 68 on Thursday, but simmered away since then. He shot scores 72-72-73 from there to finish the week in a tie for 63rd place.

Shiv Kapur, fresh from collecting a cheque for winning the Panasonic Swing, finished in T66. A disappointing 79 dropped Khalin Joshi down to 68th place.

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