Cheng heads for US Masters; Go joint eighth

MANILA, Philippines – Heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Mujigae forced the cancellation of the final round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Hong Kong yesterday, handing third round leader Cheng Jin of China the crown and the US Masters berth.

Filipino LJ Go wound up joint eighth after 67 Saturday when he failed to move closer to the Chinese bet with a faltering finish.

Cheng, 17, shot a course record 62 in the first round then added a 68 and 69 for a 199 total as storms tore across the exposed Clearwater Bay course, rendering the par-70 unplayable and forcing the organizers to call off the final round.

Go actually battled back from eight shots down to within four off Cheng with six birdies in the first 13 holes in the third round. But he fumbled with a bogey on No. 16 and double bogeyed the next to reel back.

Ryan Ruffels and Cameron Davis, both of Australia, turned in a pair of 67s in the third round and shared runner-up honors at 200.

Taiwanese Chun-An Yu also made a 67 for a 202 for joint fourth with Korean Tae Ho Kim, who had a 68, while Aussie Antonio Murdaca, the defending champion, shot the day’s best score of 64 to move to solo sixth at 203, four shots off the pace.

Thai Sangchai Keawcharoen also fired a 68 for solo seventh at 204.

Rupert Zaragosa ended up at joint 35th at 211.