Veteran Thaworn Wiratchant on Sunday proved he is still a force to be reckoned with, holding off challenges from young golfers to win the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2020 event in Lop Buri.
Starting the day with a two-shot advantage after two rounds of the 54-hole tournament, the 53-year-old Thaworn closed with a one-under 69 to win by one shot on eight-under 202 at the par-70 13th Military Circle Sports Center.
It is his eighth title on the All Thailand Golf Tour and first since 2015.
Making his professional debut, Tanapat Pichaikool, who is 32 years younger than Thaworn, was second on seven-under 203.
The 21-year-old trailed Thaworn by two shots at the start of the day. Four birdies saw him improve to nine under after 15 holes before he dropped shots at the 16th and 17th.
Thaworn received 600,000 baht and seven world ranking points while Tanapat earned 380,000 baht and 4.2 points.
"I am really happy to win again because I am old now," said Thaworn, whose round included three birdies and two bogeys. "Normally, I play on the senior tours in Japan and Europe. When I am free, I join the domestic tour to help promote events."
Thaworn also praised the organisers for staging the tournament according to the health guidelines issued by the government.
"It's really good for the golfers who need tournaments to play in. They need money to live."
The event, the third leg of All Thailand Golf Tour 2020 and the first one in almost five months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was played over 54 holes without spectators.
Namchok Tantipokhakul (66) and Itthipat Buranatanyarat (69) came in third on six-under 204.
Thaya Limpipolpaibul birdied the last two holes to finish tied for fifth a shot behind along with amateur Prathakorn Suyasri (66), Suteepat Prateeptienchai (66), Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (68) and Prom Meesawat (70).
Sadom Kaewkanjana, who won here by five shots last year, shared 35th on 211.
The next leg of the All Thailand Golf Tour 2020 will be the Singha Pattaya Open from Aug 13-16, with the fan-less, 72-hole stroke play tournament offering three million baht in total purse.