Steven Jeffress equalled the best finish by an Australian at the Korean Open since it joined the OneAsia circuit in 2009, his T5 the best result since Michael Wright posted the same finish six years ago.

Jeffress opened with a superb 6-under 65 to take a three shot lead after 18 holes but in a tournament, which has proved difficult for international players couldn’t hang on over the final three days.

Rounds of 70-73-72 saw the reigning Fiji International champion drop to 4-under-for the week, nine shots behind runaway winner Kyunghoo Lee.

Michael Clayton is the only Australian to have won the Korean Open since its inception in 1958, his 1984 triumph making him one of only 10 non Korean winners in the tournament’s history.

Jeffress was the only Australian to finish in the top-10 at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, Australian Masters champion Nick Cullen next best at T17.

Stephen Dartnall was the last Australian in the top-25, a disappointing final round 76 undoing some good work over the first three days where he returned scores of 72-69-69.

Adam Blyth (T61) and Adam Stephens (68th) were the only other Australians to make the cut, Jake Higginbottom, Ryan Lynch and Aaron Townsend among those not to play the weekend.