Ashun Wu ends 10-year wait to seal sensational storybook victory at China Open
Ashun Wu turned back the clock in sensational fashion, capturing the Volvo China Open title for a second time—almost ten years to the day since his last triumph on home soil.
The 39-year-old Chinese star delivered a vintage final round, carding a six-under 65 to post a winning score of 14-under-par, edging out England's Jordan Smith by a single stroke to claim his fifth career title on the DP World Tour.
Trailing by three shots at the turn, Wu flipped the script with a fiery stretch of five birdies in eight holes, while overnight leader Eugenio Chacarra of Spain cooled off at the worst possible moment. Smith's closing 67 earned him solo second, followed by Germany's Yannik Paul in third. Chacarra finished in a tie for fourth with local favourites Haotong Li and Zecheng Dou, showcasing China's growing presence in world golf.
It's a sweet comeback for Wu, who narrowly lost his tour card last season after finishing 115th in the Race to Dubai standings—just one spot shy of safety. Now, with this victory, he's secured full DP World Tour status through 2027 and reasserted himself as a force in front of an adoring home crowd.
"It's very special," Wu said, visibly moved. "Ten years ago I won this event in Shanghai, and to come back and do it again—it's a great story. A great week. I'm proud to win my country's Open. It's very, very exciting."
Conditions were anything but easy. "The wind flipped directions today, so the front nine was tricky. I just told myself to stay patient. One birdie and one bogey on the front. Then the back nine came alive."
"Five birdies coming home—it felt amazing. And playing in Shanghai, in front of my home crowd, it gave me a lot of confidence. This city brings me luck."
It was a win wrapped in nostalgia and national pride, and a big statement from a veteran who clearly isn't done yet.
Final Leaderboard
A. Wu (CHN) – 68 • 70 • 67 • 65 = 270
J. Smith (ENG) – 68 • 69 • 67 • 67 = 271
Y. Paul (GER) – 68 • 68 • 67 • 69 = 272
E. Chacarra (ESP) – 65 • 67 • 69 • 72 = 273
Z. Dou (CHN) – 70 • 65 • 68 • 70 = 273
L. Haotong (CHN) – 69 • 63 • 69 • 73 = 273
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