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Nakarin Ratanakul wins Faldo Series Asia grand final

18-year-old Nakarin Ratanakul from Thailand claimed the title of Faldo Series Asia champion at Mission Hills today with a five under par 67 and a ten under par total of 206.

Ratanakul carded the lowest round of the day, including one eagle and two birdies on his front nine of the Faldo course, and four birdies on the back nine.

"To have one of my golfing idols here to watch me made it even better, as I have always looked up to Nick Faldo," the champion commented on his excellent performance.

Six shots back in equal 2nd was Hsieh Yu Ling from Chinese Taipei, the leading girl, with a total of 212, four under par. Hsieh, 14, shared the runners-up spot with England's Ben Evans, 20.

"It was fun playing with the boys, but they hit it way too far for me. They are so strong compared to me," the 14-year-old remarked on her performance.

Supported by Mission Hills, The R&A and UBS, the 54-hole Faldo Series Asia grand final brought together 60 leading young golfers from across Asia, boys and girls aged 12 to 21, plus six invitees from the Faldo Series grand final in Europe. Results will count towards The R&A's World Amateur Ranking; the leading Asian finalists, boys and girls, will be invited to compete in the Faldo Series grand final in Europe; the leading boy will play in the Asian Tour's Volvo Masters of Asia and the leading girl will compete in the Ladies Asian Golf Tour's Indian Open.

Six-time Major winner Faldo followed the final round today before conducting an exclusive Q&A in the evening. He will play with the winners tomorrow [Tuesday 6 February].

Local school-children attended the final round of the Faldo Series Asia grand final today; they watched the finalists in action and then attended a clinic with Faldo in a bid by the golfing legend to simultaneously create access to the game for a younger audience.

Final scores after round 3:
206 - Nakarin RATANAKUL, Thailand (Boys U18);
212 - Ben EVANS, England (Boys U21);
212 - HSIEH Yu Ling, Chinese Taipei (Girls U16);
216 - HUNG Chien Yao, Chinese Taipei (Boys U16);
217 - Anirban LAHIRI, India (Boys U21).
Selected others: 226 - Ainil Johani BAKAR, Malaysia (Girls U18)

Winners' results: 216 - HUNG Chien Yao, Chinese Taipei (Boys U16); 206 - Nakarin RATANAKUL, Thailand (Boys U18); 212 - Ben EVANS, England (Boys U21); 212 - HSIEH Yu Ling, Chinese Taipei (Girls U16); 226 - Ainil Johani BAKAR, Malaysia (Girls U18); 235 - HSU Ke Hui, Chinese Taipei (Girls U21)

February 5, 2007