Callum Tarren recorded his sixth runner-up finish in 11 events on the PGA Tour Series-China as amateur Yechun “Carl” Yuan won the Qingdao Championship.
Callum, who plays out of Rockliffe Hall, finished one shot back having set the target for Yuan at five under-par. Yuan closed with back-to-back birdies to secure a dramatic one-stroke victory and become the second amateur to win a PGA TOUR Series-China title.
Callum, who led after 36 holes, birdied the second, fifth and eighth before closing with 10 pars in a row in a bogey-free round. Despite being runner-up for the third time this year, the 27-year-old was satisfied with his finish in tricky weather, his frustration eased by earning the winner’s purse of around £30,000 which Yuan couldn’t accept as an amateur.
“To go bogey-free in that wind is fantastic. I missed a couple of chances on the par fives coming in, some good chances, but I’m happy with how I finished,” said Callum, who started the week fifth on the Order of Merit. “I’m disappointed, but fortunately it’s still the winner’s cheque. That will really help me fly on the Order of Merit and puts me in a great spot to secure Web.com Tour status for 2019.”
