SHANGHAI – Wu Ashun became the first Chinese player to win a European Tour title on home soil when he beat David Howell by one stroke to capture the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Wu, who plays primarily on the Japan Tour, was the steadiest player in the final round, making two birdies to just one bogey to card a 71 and finish at 9-under 279 overall.
Howell missed a five-foot par putt on the 18th to force a playoff. He had four bogeys to go with four birdies in his round of 72.
Emiliano Grillo made a spirited run on the final day, making four birdies in five holes on the front nine before hitting into the water on No. 17, leading to double bogey. He finished joint-third.