Lee, who shared a two-shot lead among the non-Chinese mainland players with American Derek Trofimczuk (81) going into the final round, did just enough in his round featuring two birdies and four bogeys to qualify.

"I had a lot of chances on the front nine, but I couldn't get the putts to drop. The wind was a bit strong at that time. I played okay on the back nine. I felt that if I could just finish at even par over the back nine, I'd be fine," the Incheon native who is in his third season on the China Tour said.

"I'm really happy. I finally earned the qualification. I achieved what I set out to do. I'm 19 now and my goal is the PGA Tour. I need to gain all kinds of experience, and experience on the European Tour is definitely important."

In the playoff to decide the final place among the Chinese mainland players, Xue finished regulation deadlocked with amateurs Yan Jinheng (73) and Wang Haoyi (75) at one-under 143. Playing on the 614-yard 18th hole, Yan was quickly eliminated when he over hit the green and carded bogey, As Wang got down for birdie, in a stroke of good fortune, Xue hit the flag from his bunker shot, leaving his ball two feet from the pin. He then sank his putt to force another hole of sudden death.

Returning to the 18th hole, Wang hit into water with his tee shot and never recovered. After leaving his third shot short of the green, he then chipped to five feet and missed his par putt. Xue, who was short of the green on his third shot, chipped to three feet and converted his putt to book his spot in the championship.

"The playoff was very intense, and fortunately I ended up winning. I hit the shot from the bunker with a 60-degree wedge, and hit the flag. I have to say I was really lucky," the Guangzhou pro who has yet to win since turning pro in 2019 admitted.

"On the second playoff hole, my original plan was to reach the green in three shots. Wang Haoyi's ball going into the water off the tee didn't change my strategy."

Enhance Anting Golf Club is a 7,086-yard, par-71 layout designed by Robert Trent Jones II in Shanghai, China.