CHIANG MAIAustralia's Scott Hend yesterday came back from six strokes behind to win the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic by three strokes at the par-72 Alpine Chiangmai Golf Resort.
After starting six strokes behind overnight leader Prayad Marksaeng going into the final round of the US$750,000 tournament, Hend posted an eight-under-par 64 to win his third Asian Tour title with 20-under-par 268 total.
South Africa's Bryce Easton (64) finished second on 17-under-par 271 while Prayad, despite holding a five-shot lead after three rounds, came in third on 16-under-par-272 total after struggling with a 74.
China's rising star Hu Mu posted a 68 to earn his first top-10 finish on the tour at 15-under-par 273.
The 39-year-old Hend made his move in the front nine, shooting one eagle, four birdies and a bogey. He then made four birdies against a bogey to finish with eight-under-par 64.
Just as in his two previous wins, he came from behind to take the title.
''I never thought I would win. I played with Prayad and he hit the ball very well,'' he said.
At the Indonesia President Invitational in 2008, Hend was five strokes behind leader Ian Steel going into the final round but went on to win his maiden Asian tour title by three shots, following his 66. He was four strokes behind at last year's ISPS Singapore Honda Classic, but finished with a sizzling round of 64 to win the title by one stroke.
Seeking his first Asian Tour win since the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2007, Prayad, who had been the leader since the first round, made the turn at 39 with one birdie, two bogeys and a double-bogey at the seventh, where he made an eagle in the third round. On the back nine, he shot two birdies against a lone bogey.
''I am not disappointed with the result because I make some big mistakes today,'' he said. ''My irons are not so good. The second shots were always reaching the fringe on almost every hole.''
FINAL ROUND SCORES
268 _ Scott Hend (AUS) 68-69-67-64
271 _ Bryce Easton (RSA) 68-67-72-64
272 _ Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 65-67-66-74
273 _ Hu Mu (CHN) 66-69-70-68
274 _ Jbe Kruger (RSA) 71-69-70-64, Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 69-69-68-68, Siddikur (BAN) 69-67-69-69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 71-67-66-70, Matthew Stieger (AUS) 68-67-68-71
275 _ MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 70-67-71-67, Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 68-70-68-69, Digvijay Singh (IND) 67-67-70-71, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 69-65-69-72
276 _ Ernie Els (RSA) 69-71-66-70