Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand defeated Bangladesh’s Mohammad Siddikur Rahman in a playoff for his first Asian Tour victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
Pariya, a licensed pilot, closed with a two-over 74 to tie with Siddikur in regulation play on a four-day total of two-under 286 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
The duo returned to the par-four 18th hole and Pariya sealed the victory with a par.
Photo: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
Local hope Lu Wei-chih, a former champion, missed out on the playoff after making bogey on the last hole for a 71, while South Africa’s Peter Karmis and Chan Yih-shin of Taiwan finished a stroke further back in tied-fourth position on a 288 total.
Asian legend Hsieh Min-nan of Taiwan, 70, the oldest player on the Asian Tour to make the halfway cut, signed off with an 80 for a 306 total.
Trailing overnight leader Siddikur by a stroke, Pariya turned in 36, before carding a pivotal birdie on the 15th hole to force a playoff.
“I didn’t expect to win, but now that I have it is great. I came here with a goal to finish in the top 10, but to win here is just unbelievable. It opens a lot of doors for me, but Asia is my home and I’ll always play here,” the 26-year-old said.
Pariya is one of the most consistent golfers on the Asian Tour, with four previous top 10 finishes to his name this season. His best finish was third place at the Handa Singapore Classic last month.
Pariya admitted that nerves got to him on the back nine, but was delighted with his performance.
“I tried not to look at the results, but I couldn’t help myself on the back nine. I knew I was neck-to-neck with Siddikur and I’m lucky things went my way,” he said.
Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to win on the Asian Tour at the Brunei Open in August, mounted a strong challenge, but was blown off course by buffeting winds as he closed with four bogeys against one birdie for a 75.
“It is disappointing not to win, but second position is a good finish for me. The best man always wins and I guess this week isn’t my week,” Siddikur said.
Lu carded birdies on holes three and 13, but was disappointed with his only blemish of the day on the final hole when his approach shot flew over the green.
“I tried my best to play and make a challenge for the title, but the 18th hole really let me down. This course is so challenging and the pin on the last hole was tucked in a very difficult position,” Lu said.
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