BANGKOK: Rattanon Wannasrichan clinched his first Asian Tour title on Sunday with a two-shot win at the Thailand Open, delighting the home crowd with a cool-headed round that parried a late Shiv Kapur challenge.
The 21-year-old’s pillar-to-post victory capped a remarkable week for the young Thai star, whose 21-under for the tournament (263) saw him fend off India’s Kapur who hit 10 birdies in a final round charge.
Rattanon wobbled slightly on the 18th, dropping a shot to finish on 67 for the day, setting up a nervy finish with Kapur, who had rattled in the birdies all day for a fourth round 63.
But Kapur fell two shots short, undone by a pair of bogeys.
That left him level in second place with compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar whose title challenge was undone by a stuttering front nine on the final day.
The Indian pair finished on 19-under (265), two shots clear of Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat.
Rattanon becomes only the fourth Thai to win the event since it was first staged in 1965.
Leading scores after the final round of the $300,000 Asian Tour Thailand Open at the Thai Country Club on Friday:
263 - Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 62-69-65-67
265, Shiv Kapur 70-67-65-63, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 65-66-67-67
267- Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 64-69-64-70
268 - Danthai Boonma (THA) 66-69-67-66
269 - Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 67-67-68-67,
Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 67-67-66-69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 66-68-65-70, Scott Hend (AUS) 69-67-69-64
270 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-68-67-66, Gavin Green (MAS) 71-66-67-66, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 71-67-64-68, Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 70-62-68-70, Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol (THA) 68-68-67-67
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