Bauchou of the USA edges Zach in a Play-Off to Capture Faldo Series Title

Zachary Bauchou from Forest, Virginia edged out Simon Zach (Czech Republic) in a dramatic sudden death play-off to win the eighteenth Faldo Series Grand Final at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, USA. Bauchou birdied the 18th to force a play-off with Zach and then clinched the title with a tap-in par putt on the first extra hole.

Reigning Champion Megan Khang (Rockland, Massachusetts), who competed in her second U.S. Women’s Open earlier in the year made it a double success for the U.S. by retaining the Girls’ Overall title.

“This victory means so much to me, I would like to thank the PGA of America and Sir Nick for giving me this amazing opportunity,” said Bauchou, who recently committed his future to Oklahoma State University. “The amount of time that Sir Nick personally puts into this week is amazing and the international experience that I have gained from playing in the Grand Finals that he has hosted in the U.S and China has really helped me progress as a player.”

“Zach’s victory caps an amazing week which has seen us bring together 83 young golfers from 20 countries around the world,” said Sir Nick Faldo. “The players are getting better every year and I am excited about the future as we continue our effort to grow the game of golf globally through the Faldo Series.”

Rohan Boettcher held off a strong challenge from England’s Charlie Strickland to win the Boys’ Under-16 Division. The 15-year-old Brazilian qualifies for the 2015 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final along with Bauchou and Khang, who will also be offered spots in a professional tour event, and Pauline Del Rosario who completed a unique Faldo Series double by adding the Girls’ Under-16 prize to the same age division title that she won at Mission Hills, China last March.

There was some consolation for Simon Zach who still won the Boys’ Under-18 division to become the first ever Czech winner of a Faldo Series title. The 18-year-old can look forward to a second Asia Grand Final appearance in March, 2015.

Off the course players aged 12 to 21 received expert advice from Sir Nick and a number of other industry experts all week. Local school children from Greenbrier East and West schools were also present on Thursday for a golf clinic with Faldo.

Supported by The R&A, The Greenbrier, ISPS Handa, European Tour, PGA Tour, PGA of America, West Virginia Golf Association, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, CBS, Audemars Piguet and Southern Golf the 2014 Faldo Series Europe schedule features 17 tournaments in 15 countries including three in England plus others in Abu Dhabi, Ireland, Chile, Wales, Brazil, Scotland, Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and the USA.

Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year.  Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 212 – Zachary Bauchou (USA) 69-71-72; 214 – Paul Kinnear (ENG) 71-72-71; 216 – John-Ross Galbraith (NIR) 70-75-71. Boys’ Under-18: 212 – Simon Zach (CZE) 69-70-73; 217 – Jack Singh Brar (ENG) 76-67-74; 221 – Jamie Dick (ENG) 74-73-74, Vince van Veen (NED) 77-75-69.  Boys’ Under-16: 219 – Rohan Boettcher (BRA) 72-71-76; 221 – Charlie Strickland (ENG) 75-75-71; 225 – Timo Vahlenkamp (GER) 76-72-77, Colin Bowles (USA) 75-72-78. Girls’ Under-21: 217 – Megan Khang (USA) 76-68-73; 220 – Kelly Whaley (USA) 69-81-70, Princess Mary Superal (PHI) 69-73-78.  Girls’ Under-16: 218 – Pauline Del Rosario (PHI) 71-74-73; 236 – Emma Spitz (AUT) 74-88-74; 237 – Lucy Walton (ENG) 77-81-79.

For final scores and results from the 18th Faldo Series Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com