American Jason Knutzon is the winner of the inaugural US$350,000 Motorola International, taking the title by one shot from Australian Peter Fowler at Ria Bintan today.

The 31-year-old from Iowa won his second Asian Tour title with a flawless final round 8 under 66, finishing the day with a superb tee shot from 162 yards to allow him enough room to only need to par the final hole to win. That he did, denying Fowler his first title in 13 years. Australian born-Singapore based Unho Park finished a shot behind Fowler in outright third place, his best result since he tied 4th at the Crowne Plaza Open in August last year.

But the day belonged to Knutzon whose sizzling round of 66 was highlighted by his tee shot on the 18th to wrap things up.

"Today was unbelievable. I played pretty good, putted great and played real steady with no bogeys. It's just a great feeling to win", said the affable American, tired but elated after playing in sizzling conditions.

"I hit a lot of fairways and greens and gave myself a lot of chances for birdies. I putted the best that I putted all year. Even those I missed, it was going right over the edge. It was good."

"When I found out I was tied on 16, I didn't hit a great tee shot in 16. I decided to lay up. I had a funny third shot 15 feet left of the pin and I saw the board that I was tied for the lead. I realised Peter must have made birdie then, and I thought I still had a one shot lead. But I rolled in the putt. That was a great putt."

I hit a good shot in on the last hole with an eight iron and roll it by three feet when I'm trying to snuggle it up there. It was nice to see that putt go in."

Demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the sport, Knutzon, who has missed the last four cuts was comfortable being back in the winners circle after a three year absence since he took out the 2004 Macau Open.

"The first time is always special, but this being after three years and my start of the year hasn't been great, I missed four straight cuts by one stroke, I said 'gosh' it just feels good to make the cut this week. I normally make a lot of cuts but to win was a great feeling."

47-year-old Fowler played a superb tournament, firing rounds of 68, 69, 71 & 67 and despite missing out on the win by such a close margin, said this event was probably his best performance in the last 13 years (since he won the 1993 BMW International on the European Tour).

"I was happy with my own performance, to shoot 67," said Fowler. "That's what I thought I needed to do. But unfortunately, 66 got me. It's one of those things. I can't do anything about that."

"I knew I needed probably two birdies in the last three holes to have a chance. I just pushed the driver on 16 and it caught the tree and came down. If I had missed the tree, it would have been really good. I would have had a mid iron to the green. But I made a great birdie on 17. It was a tough hole, hit a perfect tee shot and a perfect second shot at the flag."

"This performance is probably the best in 13 years. The last two weeks, I've shot seven out of eight rounds in the 60s. That's a long time since I've done that. I am happy with my performance."

"I really got focused the last couple of weeks. I had a little more belief. I started working again with my original coach in December in Sydney Ian Alexander, he has taught me since I was 12 years old. He got me doing the things the way that I should do them. It's taken a couple of months. I had glimpse of it but the last couple of weeks, it's been good especially my putting. I was probably three putts lower than previously. It was rock solid."

By finishing in the top 5, Fowler, who has no status on any tours this year, will now get automatic entry into the Inaugural Pine Valley Beijing Open at the end of April. He has moved up to be in the Top 20 on the UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit in 18th place.

Unho Park made it an aussie double in the top 3 after a final round 68 which saw him record his best finish in Asia since August 2006.

44-year-old Lu Wen-teh was Asia's best performer finishing in solo third place, a shot behind Park after a final round 69 followed by Canberra's Scott Barr. The Singapore-based former teaching professional is showing good form on the Asian Tour two top 10 results in three events. He finished eighth at the Singapore Masters two weeks ago.

Kiwi Gareth Paddison also had his best finish in 12 months when he closed with a solid 3 under 69 to finish in the Top 10, tied ninth with overnight leader Australian Adam Blyth whose 1 over 73 was his worst round of the tournament. Blyth slipped down the leaderboard with consecutive bogeys on the 13th & 14th , costly holes that took him out of contention.

Other Australasians to finish on the Top 20 were Steven Jeffress NSW who finished in a tie for 13th on 7 under with Scott Strange, followed by David Gleeson and Adam Groom who were tied 17th on 6 under.

Knutzon wrapped up what has been an outstanding event and fun week for all the players.

"It has been a great experience this week. Motorola and Bintan have done an awesome course. The venue was first class. I'm sure a lot of people will come next year as we all had a great time."

Source - Asian Tour

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