Thailand's
Prayad Marksaeng was the last man standing after a thrilling final
day at the Crowne Plaza Open on Sunday, notching a play-off victory
over Marcus Both of Australia.
The stocky Prayad edged out Both with a 16-foot birdie on the first
hole of a sudden-death shoot-out at Grand Epoch City Golf Club to
win his fifth Asian Tour title, but his first since 2000. It was
another disappointing finish for Both as it was his second runner-up
outing this season.
Prayad and Both carded matching final rounds of four-under-par 68
to finish tied on eight-under-par 280, one clear of co-overnight
leader Digvijay Singh and Shiv Kapur, both from India, and Australian
Alistair Presnell.
Liang Wen-chong was China's best-placed golfer at tied sixth position
after a 70 while Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Thaworn Wiratchant
of Thailand, who shot a 73, settled for a share of 10th place alongside
co-overnight leader Lu Wen-teh of Chinese Taipei, who stumbled out
of contention following a 78.
"I'm really happy to win this title, it's been a long time
since I last won on the Asian Tour," said Prayad, whose victory
also earned him a spot in the lucrative HSBC Champions Tournament
in Shanghai next month.
The Thai surged into the lead with a five-birdie run over seven
holes in the middle of his round. In the play-off, he found the
green in regulation but Both, after landing in thick rough with
his tee shot, sent his approach beyond the putting surface to hand
the advantage to Prayad.
"It was very close as Marcus finished very strongly on the
back nine. In the play-off, I saw the putting line and just rolled
in the long putt."
Both looked out of the running but forced his way into the reckoning
with four birdies over his closing five holes. He pulled off a spectacular
five iron approach shot that landed two feet of the pin at the last
hole in regulation to tie Prayad.
"I gave myself half a chance with a strong finish but Prayad
played fantastic. I did the right things down the stretch with those
four birdies but he did the right thing in the play-off. I'm bit
disappointed I did not win," said Both, who was also second
in the Macau Open in May.
It was so close yet so far for the 33-year-old Singh who was searching
for his first Asian Tour victory. He turned in one-under and was
tied for the lead before a bogey on 11 saw him drop one behind.
But birdies on 14 and 17 took him to within one stroke from the
play-off but the birdie he was desperately searching for on 18 failed
to materialise.
"I hit a great shot into 18 and got cheated. The wind picked
up and the ball rolled to the back of the green. But I'm pleased
to finish third as I was in the running throughout four rounds.
I played well this week but two other guys played a bit better,"
said Singh, whose finish matched his career best outing where he
was also third in the 2002 Indian Open.
Kapur, playing in his first full year in Asia, enjoyed his best
career finish to date after carding a final round 69 while Presnell
produced five birdies on his back nine for a 68 to share third place.
Leading final round scores
280 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 72-70-70-68, Marcus Both (AUS) 72-69-71-68
(Prayad won title with birdie on first hole of sudden-death play-off)
Thailand's
Prayad Marksaeng was the last man standing after a thrilling final
day at the Crowne Plaza Open on Sunday, notching a play-off victory
over Marcus Both of Australia.
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