SIEM REAP, Cambodia—American rookie David Lipsky produced a superb chip-in birdie to defeat a luckless Elmer Salvador of the Philippines in the first play-off hole and win the inaugural $300,000 Handa FW Cambodian Classic on Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who won the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School in January, enjoyed his maiden professional victory in front of six-time Major champion Nick Faldo, who watched the shootout at the impressive Angkor Golf Resort, a course he designed.
Starting the day seven shots off the lead, Lipsky closed with a stunning seven-under-par 65 for a 15-under-par 273 total. A gritty Salvador had a 10-foot birdie putt at the last hole in regulation play for the outright win but he missed for a 68.
Lipsky earned $47,550 and a priceless winner’s exemption on the Asian Tour until the end of 2014.
Salvador, who took home $32,550 (roughly P1.4 million), had a good look for an outright win but misjudged his putt at the 72nd hole.
“On 18, I charged my putt and my line was not good,” said the Filipino. Asian Tour News