Hua Hin: As overnight leader Peradol Panyathanasedh squandered a three-shot lead, Chapchai Nirat showed his class in testing conditions to storm to a six-stroke victory in the 2016 Thongchai Jaidee Foundation event in Hua Hin.
Chapchai trailed Peradol by four shots at the start of final round, but a brilliant seven-under 65 with eight birdies against a lone bogey saw him through at the par-72 Black Mountain Golf Club.
Chapchai ended with a 12-under 276 total, six shots ahead of second-placed Sorachut Hansapiban, who made a 70 yesterday.
The 27-year-old Peradol, who was seeking his first win in six years, had a nightmarish final day in Hua Hin as he dropped to third on five-under 283 after trading three birdies with five bogeys and a double bogey.
Chapchai, a 33-year-old from Phitsanulok, said he had not targeted the title because he was well behind the leader after three rounds.
However, being a big hitter gave him a massive advantage in windy conditions on the final day.
"Because of the windy conditions, I tried not to make mistakes and give myself more chances here. I succeeded because I am a big hitter," said Chapchai, who plays regularly on the Japan tour.
"In fact, my target here was only a top-five finish."
Chapchai, who took home 700,000 baht for his win in the ADT Tour event, was grateful to Thongchai Jaidee for hosting the second edition of the tournament for his fellow golfers.
"There are lots of talented players in the country and this kind of events are needed to help them improve for more challenging tours."
Defending champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat (71) shared fourth spot with Pannakorn Uthaipas (73) on 284 at the four-million-baht tournament.
"Despite failing to win the title, I am happy with the result because I am not really fit," said Kiradech, who will be playing at the Hong Kong Open later this week.
While praising Thongchai for hosting "such a good tournament", Kiradech said he was planning to organise a Match Play tournament later this month at Black Mountain Golf Club which will give the Thai golfers more experience of the format.
Micah Lauren Shin of the US posted a 68 for a three-under 285 to tie for sixth with amateur Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (70).
Settee Prakongvech had seven birdies and two bogeys for a 67 to share eighth with Chanachok Dejpiratanongkol (68), Raththee Sirithanakunsak (72), Janne Kaske (72) and Kasidit Lepkurte (76) on two-under 286.
Nick Sherwood of the US shot a 69 with four birdies and one bogey for an even-par 288, the same as Gavin Green of Malaysia (71) and Pattaraphol Khanthacha (71). Johan Edfors of Sweden, who won the Black Mountain Masters here in 2009, finished 17th on 289 following a 69.
Tournament host Thongchai thanked the sponsors for making the event possible and said he wanted to make it a permanent fixture to help the Thai golfers develop their game.
"My goal is to help the Thais play and succeed on the PGA Tour," said the eight-time European Tour winner.
"I want the Thais players to succeed and I want to help them achieve this success in a shorter time than what I needed to do that."
The next and final tournament on the All Thailand Golf Tour and the Asian Development Tour will be the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima on Dec 22-25.