The Asian Tour star fired a closing 2-under 69 for an 11-under 273 winning total at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club to hold off two of the biggest stars of the recent Ryder Cup.

They are Ian Poulter of England who shot a 70 to claim second place, one shot back, and Anthony Kim, the America-born son of Korean parents, who shot a level-par 72 to finish one shot behind his European rival and two shots off the pace.

Bae's second Tour victory not only earned him a first prize of US$240,384 and hoisted him to fifth place on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, it also left him delighted to have overcome a field that contained Poulter and Kim.

"I'm extremely happy and I don't think I initially realised the magnitude of my win. I'm very proud of myself," Bae said.

The new Korean Open champion, who was just one under after nine holes kept his game together down the closing stretch, firing a birdie on the 10th hole, and following that with a rock-solid by eight straight pars for his 69.

"The birdie on the 10th hole kept my momentum going for the rest of the day. It gave me the confidence

Poulter, with seven wins in Europe, was leading the field heading home, but he gifted the title to Bae when he made bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes.

"I came here to win but I am going home second, so I'm not very happy. But it's nice to come here and find so many fans and I'm glad I could show them some good golf this week," said the colourful 32-year-old.

Kim was also disappointed with his final day efforts - two birdies against an equal number of bogeys.

"I am very disappointed. I let a lot of shots go today and this week. There is a lot for me to learn, but hats off to the winner who played great, he said

"I had a good time and enjoyed the support from the fans, even though I played terrible in the last three days. But I'll be back and I will be a much better player when I return," Kim promised.

LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES
(Par 71):

273 - Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 67-70-67-69

274 - Ian Poulter (ENG) 69-66-69-70

275 - Kim Wi-joong (KOR) 67-67-69-72, Anthony Kim (USA) 64-73-67-71

276 - Kim Dae-sub (KOR) 67-68-69-72

278 - Lee In-woo (KOR) 71-72-70-65, Jason King (AUS) 70-67-72-69, Kim Hyung-tae (KOR) 70-70-74-70

279 - S.K. Ho (KOR) 70-71-71-67, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 70-72-68-69, Song Tae-hoon [A] (KOR) 70-70-69-70

280 - Bae Sung-chul (KOR) 71-73-67-69

281 - Chung Jae-hoon (KOR) 70-69-72-70, Zaw Moe (MYN) 69-70-71-71, 283 - Rhys Davies (WAL) 70-73-71-69

284 - Anthony Kang (USA) 71-73-71-69, Simon Hurd (ENG) 71-70-73-70, Kim Do-hoon Ii (KOR) 72-68-75-69, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 68-74-74-68, Moon Kyong-jin (KOR) 72-69-70-73