US golfer Luke Zhao wins Turkish Airlines World Cup

By Emre Asikci

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. golfer Luke Zhao from Chicago won the 2019 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup on Wednesday.

Turkey’s national flag-carrier Turkish Airlines announced in a statement that Zhao reached 93 points to be this year's Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup champ in the tournament held in the Turkish Mediterranean province of Antalya.

The final series of the competition saw 101 players from 70 countries.

Sachin de Silva from Sri Lanka's Colombo bagged the leading gross award and clinched the trophy with a total score of -3 for his two rounds.

On day one of the 12th hole, Mariano Rodriguez won the Closest to the Pin in the men's category, while Christine Ochola gained the title on the third hole in the women's.

Roberto Fabris was the winner on day two for the men, and Ochola became winner once again in the women's category.

Turkish Airlines' chair congratulated the tournament's winner Zhao by message.

"As one of the world's best corporate golf tournaments, Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup is becoming more exciting every year. We are already looking forward to see the next finals' excitement, and congratulating this year’s new champion Luke Zhao," Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Ilker Ayci said.

Turkish Airlines has supported several sports events such as Europe's international club basketball tournament, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, European Professional Club Rugby and the 2016 UEFA European Championships commonly known as the UEFA EURO 2016.

In August, the company signed a three-year sponsorship deal with a world-famous Argentine football club, River Plate.

As part of this deal, the official River Plate jersey featured the airline’s logo.