Australia’s Scott Hend came from six shots behind to win the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic by three strokes yesterday, carding a final-round eight-under 64.
Hend won his third Asian Tour title at the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai, taking home the winner’s check of US$135,000 with his four-day total of 20-under 268.
South African newcomer Bryce Easton, playing in his first Asian Tour event, also shot a 64 to take second place, while overnight leader Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand settled for third on 272 after hitting a poor 74.
China’s Hu Mu continued his good progress, finishing fourth with a 68, while Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who needed to win to have a chance of qualifying for the Masters in two weeks, had to settle for tied for 10th place.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I had a chance to win,” Hend, 40, said.
It was a disappointing tournament for four-time major winner Ernie Els, who switched to his favored belly putter after three days with the short stick and finished tied for 14th.
“I came here to get my swing under control, which I think it did. The short game is not too bad, everything is kind of there. It’s just the confidence search now,” Els said.
Tsai Chi-huang was Taiwan’s highest-placed player, after a 76 saw him finish tied for 58th place on two-under 286.
Taiwan’s Hung Chien-yao shot a 74 to finish a further two shots behind tied for 63rd, Lu Wen-teh carded a 76 to finish in 70th on five-over 293 and Lin Wen-hong finished in last place, a further shot back.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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