Young Pawin Ingkhapradit overcame his illustrious compatriots Prayad Marksaeng and Prom Meesawat in a sudden-death play-off today to win the Singha Panasonic Hua Hin Open.
Pawin, 24, claimed his first title on the ASEAN PGA Tour by closing with a six-under-par 66 to finish the tournament on 18-under tied with Prayad and Prom, who both closed with 67s.
Prayad and Prom had started the day tied for the lead with Pawin one back but they were caught and then defeated on the fourth extra hole at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club.
Pawin shook the field by making birdie on the first four holes and by the turn he was one ahead of Prayad and two in front of Prom.
He remained in control of the tournament until drama on the par-four 18th when he dropped a shot while both Prayad and Prom made birdie to force the tournament into overtime.
Pawin showed maturity beyond his years to bounce back and take the title.
Prayad, winner of this yearās Singha Pattaya Open, remains on top of the ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit with earnings of US$19,373.
Pawin won nearly US$8,500 and moved to sixth on the Merit list.
Thailandās Panuphol Pittayarat (67) and Kwanchai Tannin (69) tied for fourth place finishing three strokes short of the play-off.
Three strokes further adrift in fifth position was Thailandās Phachara Khongwatmai (71), who won this event in 2013 as a 14-year-old amateur.Ā Ā
Defending champion Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand, winner of last yearās ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit title, fired a 70 and finished 10 shots behind the winner in a tie for 13th.
The next event on the ASEAN PGA Tour is the Singha Chiang Mai Open at Mae Jo Golf Club and Resort from August 6 to 9.
Leading final round scores:
Par 72
270 – Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 72 67 65 66, Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67 71 65 67, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 72 68 63 67
(Pawin won on fourth hole of sudden-death play-off)
273 – Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 73 66 67 67, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 67 68 69 69
276 – Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 68 67 70 71
277 – Supakrit RATTANAKAMPHOL (THA) 69 70 72 66, Pannakorn UTHAIPAS (THA) 68 74 69 66, Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 72 70 69 66
278 – Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 70 72 69 67, Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) 68 67 74 69, Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) 70 69 68 71
279 – Tawit POLTHAI (THA) 68 71 73 67, Atiruj WINAICHAROENCHAI (Am) (THA) 70 72 70 67, Gunn CHAROENKUL (THA) 71 69 69 70, Natthapong NIYOMCHON (THA) 70 69 69 71
280 – Tanatchan PUAKTES (THA) 72 73 69 66, Songthum ANUSASANANUN (THA) 74 70 72 64
281 – Danthai BOONMA (THA) 68 69 72 72
