LI COMPLETES HATRICK OF TITLES ON OCT IN XIAMEN

　　Li Chao stamped his indelible mark on the Omega China Tour today by recording his third victory of the season in the Xiamen Leg.

　　He closed with a four-under-par 66 at Orient (Xiamen) Golf & Country Club to beat Shang Lei by one stroke.

　　Li’s victory, which also saw him wrap up the Omega Order of Merit title with one event left to play, was unexpected has he had started the day seven behind third round leader Wu Kangchun.

　　Wu, winner of the season-opening Sofitel Golf Championship, ended with a disappointing 77 to end four shots adrift of the winner.

　　Li finished with four-round aggregate of two-under-par 278 and had to overcome fierce competition from Shang, who carded a 71.

　　The two players were tied with two to play before Li birdied 17 while Shang recorded a bogey. With a two stroke lead going down 18 Li could afford the luxury of making a bogey.

　　Li won US$19,470 in the US$100,000 event.

　　“I was a bit lucky today because the strong wind helped me catch up with the leaders,” said Li.

　　The Chinese golfer also won the Yanji Golf Championship this year followed immediately by the Shanghai Leg.

　　“The is my third win and it feels wonderful and most importantly it hands me the Omega Order of Merit title,” added Li, who also claimed the Merit list title in 2006.

　　He said: “I want to play well in the big events now especially the Barclays Singapore Open this year.”

　　While Wu was dropping shots from the outset Li raced up the leader board with birdies on the first, fifth, 12th, and the 13th.

　　The final event on the Omega China Tour this year is the Omega Championship at Tianan Golf Club in Beijing from October 18 to 21.