B

ernd Wiesberger shot a 5-under-par 67, beating South African Ernie Els by a single stroke to win the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2013 on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Austrian shot a 15-under-par 273 at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event, staged at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, to win his second title in Asia.

'€œI was struggling in the beginning, having trouble off the tee, and couldn'€™t get it going,'€ Wiesberger said. '€œBut after I birdied the eight and nine I got the momentum going.

Wiesberger, whose coach Philippe De Busschere is based in Indonesia, said that he triumphed despite some stumbles. '€œI couldn'€™t make all the putts but I was confident that my ball striking was good enough. I got an eagle on the 13th and another birdie on the 16th, which I'€™m very thankful for.'€

He dedicated his victory to his late grandfather. '€œIt'€™s really special today, because when I won in Korea last year my grandfather passed away the next day. It has been a year and I could feel his presence with me today. I would like to dedicate this win to him.'€

British Open champion Els settled for second place after carding 68, while overnight leader Daisuke Kataoka of Japan slipped to third place with a round of 70 to finish at 275 and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand was three shots back in fourth after shooting 69.

Els, also known as the Big Easy, was phlegmatic. '€œI played and fought hard. I wasn'€™t quite at my best but I had a good time. I didn'€™t hit my iron shots close enough, especially at the start. I was one over through five holes and had to battle back all the time. Bernd was the deserving winner.'€

'€œA win would have been unbelievable, but second is not all that bad. This has given me something and it shows my game is going in the right direction. I'€™m starting to feel really good about my game,'€ Els, who is ranked 24th in the world, said.

Els also praised Kataoka. '€œIt was a great performance by Daisuke. He is a good and neat player. He hits the ball really straight with a good putter'€.

Kataoka, who turned pro in 2007, showed a surprising performance on the third day of the tournament when he topped the leader board with a 6-under 66 for an overall 205.

'€œThis is a very important week for me,'€ Katoka said. '€œIt showed that I can play with the top players. I hit some really good shots out there and I think I can repeat my performance in other events. If I can continue to keep up this consistency, then I think my first win will come very soon,'€ said the 24-year-old.

Bernd pocketed $135,000 for his first place finish, while Els bagged $82,500 and $47,250 went to Kataoka.

Results

273 - Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) (67-72-67-67)

274 - Ernie Els (South Afica) (68-70-68-68)

275 - Daisuke Kataoka (Japan) (70-69-66-70)