Singapore's Lam Chih Bing held his nerve in a tense final round to shoot a five-under 67 and win the Volvo Masters of Asia yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lam carded five birdies on a blemish-free round to finish 14 under par and seal victory in the Asian Tour's season-ending championship, two strokes ahead of Thai Chapchai Nirat, with Australian Terry Pilkadaris third on 11-under.
Lam shared the overnight lead with four other players going into a thrilling final day and surged in front with three decisive birdies in the last four holes.
"Winning this is really special. It's unbelievable, just being here was a big achievement for me," Lam told Star Sports television.
"I felt in control of my game, I made sure there were no mistakes and I'm so happy to win.
"It was a jam-packed leaderboard so I'm glad I just went out and did the job," added the 31-year-old, who has twice qualified for the British Open.
Chapchai's bid to become the third Thai in succession to win the season-ender was derailed in the first six holes, where he had a frustrating three bogeys and a double bogey.
The big-hitter later admitted he was playing with an injured shoulder but fought through the pain to land five birdies on the back nine, finishing with a 69 for second place on 12-under.
"My shoulder was painful but I finished quite well," Chapchai told reporters. "Lam played well and is a good winner...he's due for a win."
Pilkadaris, runner up in the 2004 edition, crept into the race for the title with a bogey-free 66 after four birdies from the first five holes of the inward nine at the Thai Country Club.
Lam and Chapchai were helped by miserable final rounds from three of the overnight leaders.
Thai Chawalit Plaphol carded a 73 and Australia's Marcus Both a grim 75, while compatriot David Gleeson shot 71 having thrust himself into contention with a course record-equaling 63 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in Xiamen, Fujian Province, Choi He-yong maintained the Korean mastery of the US$250,000 Orient China Ladies Open for a third consecutive year yesterday with a wire-to-wire, three-shot victory at the national championship.
The 18-year-old Inchon native, who started the day five strokes clear of three compatriots, captured her second pro victory with a final round 69 for a 54-hole aggregate score of 11-under 205 at the Orient Xiamen Golf and Country Club.
The victory by the 2006 Asian Games gold medalist, the second Korean to win the tournament after Shin Ji-yai won the first two years, was worth US$45,000.
Compatriot Seo Hee-kyung (67) finished runner-up with Jung Hye-jin (69) two shots further back. Kim Min-sun (70) was fourth, followed by LPGA Tour regular Feng Shanshan (68), the top mainland finisher, at a distant seven strokes off the pace.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily December 22, 2008)
