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Prayad lifts third title in Japan

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng capped a fantastic week for the Asian Tour when he carded a final round even par 71 for a eight-under-par 276 total to win the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan on Sunday.

With Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang also winning at the UBS Hong Kong Open, Prayad’s win in Japan simply underlines the strength and class of the game in Asia.

Prayad now moves up to 54th, a jump of 18 places on the world golf ranking while Lin is three places ahead in 51st place. They are both on the verge of breaking into the world's top-50, where they will earn their tickets into the Masters as well as a place in the majority of the Majors in 2009.

Starting the day with a two-stroke lead, Prayad fought off a spirited challenge from Japanese teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa to emerge victorious and picked up the winner’s cheque of 40 million yen.

"After I came back from the HSBC Champions and Barclays Singapore Open, I felt very tired and at first I was only thinking of making the cut," said Prayad.

"I didn't think about winning but the first day I played well and after the third round I was confident," added the six-time Asian Tour winner.

It is Prayad's third title win in Japan, following victories at the Diamond Cup in May and the Mizuno Open in June.

November 24, 2008