Prayad clinches Thailand Open crown

Prayad clinches Thailand Open crown

Veteran is third Thai to win King's Trophy

SAMUT PRAKAN : Prayad Marksaeng hit a sizzling eight-under-par 64 in the final round yesterday to win the Thailand Open by two strokes and become only the third Thai to lift the King's Trophy.

Three shots off the pace after three rounds in the 44th Thailand Open, the 47-year-old made nine birdies and one bogey for 24-under 264 at Thana City Golf and Sports Club.

Two strokes behind in the season opener _ on both OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) _ was Scott Strange (67) while his Australian compatriot Nick Cullen (65) finished third on 267.

Defending champion Chris Wood of England was tied for fourth on 268 with five other players, including Thailand-based Simon Yates (69) of Scotland and Hwang Jung-gon of South Korea (63), in the US$1 million tournament.

Prayad became the third Thai to win his national Open since it was established in 1965, after Suthep Meesawat (1991) and Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004).

"Winning the title means a lot to me. I am really happy to win the King's Trophy," said Prayad, whose previous best result in the event was second in 2011.

"My wait to win the title is over. This wins is for all Thais."

The Hua Hin native, who earned US$180,000 (about 5.4 million baht) in prize money, said the turning point was the par-five 16th, when he chipped for birdie and maintained a one-shot lead.

He said playing alongside Hua Hin-based Yates made him feel relaxed.

It was Prayad's fourth JGTO win, which allows him to play on both OneAsia and JGTO until 2015. His previous three wins came in 2008 at the Dunlop Phoenix Open, Mizuno Open and the Mitsubishi Diamond Cup Golf.

Prayad will play at the Malaysian Open, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour, and then the Chiangmai Golf Classic on the Asian Tour.

Strange, who made six birdies against a final-hole bogey, said he gave himself every chance to win but his efforts came up short, partly because of his putting.

"Had I putted well, it could have been completely different," said the Australian, who received US$105,000.

Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant shot a course record equalling 63 with one eagle, nine birdies and two bogeys but his brilliant play came too little, too late. He was joint 12th on 270 _ six shots behind his fellow Hua Hin native Prayad _ along with seven players, including overnight leader Lucas Lee of Brazil, who had a round to forget, shooting 73.

Thaworn said his hot putter was the key to his impressive round.

"Although I failed to meet my target of winning the title, I am happy with my play," he said.

With so many Japanese players at Thana City, Thaworn realises it will be tough for him to retain his JGTO card. He is eligible to play on the Japan tour this year thanks to his Asian Tour's Order of Merit win last year.

Thailand's Thanyakon Khrongpa posted a 68 to share 20th place on 271 and took home US$10,760, while countryman Wisut Artjanawat came in equal-28th on 273 after a 70.

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington (66) finished 34th on 274 alongside Japanese duo Shingo Katayama (69) and Yoshikazu Haku (67).

Thailand national player Tawan Phongphun, the only amateur in the weekend rounds, finished on 286.

FINAL SCORES

264 _ Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 68-67-65-64.

266 _ Scott Strange (AUS) 66-65-68-67.

267 _ Nick Cullen (AUS) 69-67-66-65

268 _ Hwang Jung-gon (KOR) 65-68-72-63, Cho Min-gyu (KOR) 65-68-69-66, David McKenzie (AUS) 65-68-68-67, Simon Yates (SCO) 66-69-64-69, Chris Wood (ENG) 67-66-65-70, Hu Mu (CHN) 67-67-64-70.

269 _ Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 67-67-70-65, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 68-64-68-69.

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