Young Korean golfer Bae Sang-moon successfully defended the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open here Sunday, sinking the challenge of Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy. Bae recorded a one-stroke victory over compatriot Kim Dae-sub at Woo Jeung Hills Golf Club for his second big win of 2009, after claiming the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May. In the second event of the year on the new OneAsia Tour, Bae shot a final round four-under-par 67, to finish on 10-under-par 274. He ended one shot better when he triumphed at the same venue last year. Kim, winner of this event twice as a teenage amateur in 1998 and 2001, carded a 69 and gave Bae a real fright on the final hole. Bae held a three shot lead over Kim playing the par-five 18th but his playing partner holed his third shot from 100 yards for an eagle. The crowd went wild but Bae calmly found the green with his third and two putted to earn a check for $245,000. McIlroy, who started the day in a tie for the lead with Kim and was hot favourite to win, fired a 72 to finish four behind the winner in joint third place. Japan's 17-year-old golf prodigy Ryo Ishikawa shot a 73 and finished in equal 15th place on even par. Danny Lee from New Zealand came in with a 74 to finish three over. Kim takes two-shot lead In Arkansas, Song-Hee Kim carded a three-under par 68 Saturday to take a two-shot lead over Angela Stanford going into the final round of the $1.8 million LPGA event at Pinnacle Country Club. South Korea's Kim had a nine-under total of 133 after two rounds of the 54-hole event, while Stanford's 69 put her at 135. Taiwan's Yani Tseng posted her second straight 68 to lead a trio on 136, which also included Na Yeon Choi (65) and Sun Young Yoo (67) of South Korea. Germany's Sandra Gal was the first-round leader at seven-under, but ballooned to a 76. Jane Park posted a 7 and her five-under put her within range, especially if she can emulate her last-round 62 of last year. That saw her finish one shot behind Seon Hwa Lee. Lee posted a 68 that left her at even par and unlikely to repeat. Other notables to make the cut included Cristie Kerr (70) and Michelle Wie (70), who were three-under. Kingston wins in playoff James Kingston of South Africa captured his second title on the European Tour when he beat Anders Hansen of Denmark in a playoff at the Mercedes-Benz Championship Sunday. Hansen's third shot from the bunker landed about two meters (six feet) short from the extra hole and his putt skimmed off the rim, giving him a bogey. Kingston made his putt for par and took his first title since winning the South African Airways Open at Pearl Valley in December 2007. He became the oldest winner on the European tour this season at 43. Kingston was two shots ahead with two holes to play but had a bogey on the 17th after Hansen had a birdie. Soren Hansen of Denmark Peter Hanson of Sweden and Simon Dyson of England shared third place, one stroke further back on 276. All three needed birdies on the final hole to be in the playoff but all missed. The highest-ranked golfer in the field of 78, No. 6 Henrik Stenson of Sweden, finished on 278. Lee Westwood of England, the No. 10, was one shot further back.
