Travis Smyth finishes runner-up in Korea
Travis Smyth – file photo courtesy of Paul Lakatos Asian Tour
NSW golfer Travis Smyth continued his money-making ways in Incheon, Korea, this week when finishing runner-up at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
The event is tri-sanctioned between the Asian, Korean and Japan Golf Tours and with Smyth finishing in the runner-up position he moves to 6th on the Asian Tour for the season.
Smyth finished one shot behind the Japanese golfer Kensei Hirata following a final round of 64 which included an outward nine of 8 under 28.
It was Smyth’s 6th top ten of the 2024 season and while not winning since the Yeangder TPC event two years ago, he has accumulated substantial earnings in the time since and with a series of lucrative events between now and early December he has the chance to add significantly more.
His earnings this week were US$116,000 but with two lucrative International Series included in the schedule over the next three months, there is still much to play for.
“Bittersweet, after shooting eight under, but not winning,” said the 29 year old Smyth. “To fall one short sucks a bit, but my game is in a good spot
“The front nine, I honestly don’t know. Obviously, everything went my way. I do have the ability to hit good shots but to hit so many good shots in the space of nine holes is pretty amazing.
“It was amazing, it was good shot after good shot. Never had seven birdies in a row, that’s another personal best of mine.”
For the 23 year old Hirata it was his third win of the Japan Tour season and his second in succession and takes him to the top of the standings on the Japan Tour.
