First Challenge Tour win for Kim Koivu

Fast rising Mizuno star wins in just his 4th Challenge Tour appearance

Mizuno’s Kim Koivu won his first title as a professional in style by carding a joint low round of the week 64 to triumph by four shots at the Belt and Road Colourful Yunnan Open.

The fast rising Finn played a mixed set of MP-18 irons – #2 MMC Fli-Hi, SC 3-5, 6-9 muscleback and T7 49, 53, 59 degree wedges.  Koivu lead by one shot after the third round in China but following an outstanding start, where he holed a 20-foot birdie putt at the first, he then picked up four shots in four holes to move clear of the rest of the field.

Kim Koivu played a mixed set of MP-18 irons.

After winning his first European Challenge Tour title in only his fourth appearance on the tour, Koivu was delighted with, yet unsurprised by, his breakthrough victory.

Fast rising Mizuno star Kim Koivu – with first Challenge Tour title

“It feels really great,” he said. “I played great today and shot seven under which I really wasn’t expecting, I thought I was going to go out there and shoot three or four under, but it feels amazing to have just gone out there and to have got it done.

“I was five under after five holes – so I couldn’t have had a better start! I was like ‘what is going on here’ but then I had a very tough putt on the seventh and made bogey. After that though I played really solid until the end.

“I have been working hard over the last four years with my team prepping myself for this point so that when I turn pro I’m ready. Today I showed that I am definitely ready.

“I felt very comfortable all week. I felt that I was going to play well as I did really well in Kenya too – I made six birdies and an eagle but finished two under in the final round so I knew I was close but I just needed to cut out the mistakes.

“I had a goal at the start of the season which was to be in the top 45 but I think that has definitely changed now.”