Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent joins brother Scott as international series winners

By livgolf.com

VIETNAM: Kieran Vincent made it a unique brotherly double on the Asian Tour on Sunday when he claimed the International Series Vietnam at KN Golf Links – just 10 months after his brother Scott won the International Series England.

The Zimbabwean, in just his second year as a professional, holed a decisive 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to beat Anirban Lahiri from India and Australian Kevin Yuan by one stroke.

Vincent shot a 6-under 66, for a four-round aggregate of 19 under, while Lahiri carded a 64 and Yuan, who missed a similar length birdie putt on the last to force a sudden-death playoff, a 68.

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya had started the day with a three-shot advantage but, unlike the International Series Oman in February where he triumphed after also holding the third-round lead, he struggled on the back nine and closed with a 73 to tie for fourth, on 16 under, with American Michael Maguire (66), Korea’s Taehee Lee (67) and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai (67), Pawin Ingkhapradit (68) and Jazz Janewattananond (70).

“It is surreal right now,” said the 25-year-old Vincent, who won US$360,000. “I think there are so many people I have to thank at this stage that have put so much time and effort into me that they deserve it more than myself.

“I feel like I am a lead singer in a band of people that have done so much for me. I am very appreciative. I don’t think it is going to sink in for a while.”

The Zimbabwean’s putter seemed to go cold on Saturday, but he bounced back in the final round with six birdies and no dropped shots.

About his final putt, he said: “That is the game of golf, you win some, you lose some, some go in, some don’t, and I am just very thankful it went in at the right time, when I needed it, and so I was just lucky enough to keep giving myself opportunities. Yeah I could not have dreamed it any better.