Lane locks it down at Dongguan Open

American Joey Lane earned his first professional victory after being declared the 36-hole champion at the Dongguan Open on Sunday.

Officials had originally reduced the event to 54 holes, but after another extended weather delay they determined the tournament would be limited to 36.

Roughly half the field was forced to complete second rounds on Sunday, but Lane didn't have to play a single hole after taking the clubhouse lead at 10-under a day earlier.

Japan's Yuwa Kosaihira was just three shots back with six holes to play, but he failed to close the gap on Lane after finishing with six straight pars to secure solo second.

Japan's Masamichi Uehira carded a 67 to share third with Canada's Richard Jung (68), one shot ahead of American Charlie Netzel (65) and France's Cyril Bouniol (67).

It was a well-deserved victory for Lane, who carded an opening 8-under 62 on the Norman Course at Mission Hills Golf Club to grab a four-shot lead after the first completed round. He notched a 68 in the second round to move to 10-under.

"It's a hard golf course, and there were some tough pins so from tee to green it was awesome, probably one of the best rounds I've ever played," Lane said of his 62.

"Inside of 10 feet, I made almost everything so it was just a great round and one that only happens every once in a while."

Lane is playing his first season in China after being talked into competing by good friend and fellow PGA Tour Series-China player David Kocher, who remains third on the order of merit after a T7 finish this week. With the victory, Lane jumped 22 spots into eighth place.

Although quiet in the first half of the season, Lane last month followed up a tie for 18th in Suzhou with a tie for seventh in Huangshan before coming away with his breakthrough win.

"It's an awesome feeling. This is actually my first professional win on any tour, and this is the best tour I've played on so it's an awesome week," said Lane, who is looking to play on the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour.

"Finishing in the top 10 has always been one of my main goals for this year. I also have my eyes on a top-five in the order of merit. With four more events, hopefully I can play well and keep moving up."