Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka obliterated the field at the Air Bagan Myanmar Open yesterday, winning his maiden Asian Tour title by an emphatic margin of 10 strokes.
Hiratsuka posted a brilliant final round six-under-par 66 for a winning total of 24-under-par 264, which tied the fourth biggest margin of victory on the Asian Tour. Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng failed to mount a challenge to the overnight leader, closing with a 73 for a 274 total to take second place in the event, making a return to the Asian Tour schedule after a four-year hiatus.
LEAD
Andrew Dodt of Australia widened his lead at the top of the Order of Merit after sharing third place with Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant on 275 at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club.
Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing battled to a 68 to post his first top-10 finish of the season with a four-day total of 276.
Hiratsuka streaked away from the field with a blistering start of five opening birdies, taking only 10 putts on the outward nine. The Japanese, who has won five times on the Japan Tour, was delighted to bag his first Asian Tour title in the US$300,000 event.
BIG MARGIN
“Honestly, I did not expect to win before coming to this tournament but after four good rounds, I surprised even myself to win by this big margin,” said Hiratsuka, who took home the winner’s cheque of US$47,550.
Hiratsuka said he was confident of lifting the title on the back nine.
“Even after my early birdies, I told myself to keep calm. It was only on the last five holes that I knew I would win,” he said.
“I have come close on a few occasions and after winning here, I’m definitely going to be playing more on the Asian Tour and try to win more tournaments. It’s a really good Tour to play in,” added the 38-year-old, who has two third-placed finishes this season.
ERRATIC
Prayad, three strokes off the lead coming into the final round, was disappointed with his erratic tee shots. The six-time Asian Tour winner admitted he was playing for second place after Hiratsuka’s powerful start.
“My tee shots were very disappointing, but I have some positives to take back from this week,” Prayad said
“After four holes, I told myself that I should try my best to aim for second place. Hiratsuka had an excellent putting day and it was difficult for me to close the gap,” he said.
Dodt signed off with a 68 to share third place, thanks to an outward 31 which pushed him up the leaderboard.
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