2006 Crowne Plaza Open - Round 4: Chinarat takes the crown in Crowne Plaza playoff

Thai wonderboy Chinarat Phadungsil claimed a brilliant play-off victory in the Crowne Plaza Open on Sunday for his second triumph in 10 months and later dedicated it to his late coach.

The 17-year-old Chinarat showed the poise of a veteran to edge out compatriot Prom Meesawat and Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang in the second hole of a sudden-death shoot-out after the trio finished tied on 16-under-par 272 at Yalong Bay Golf Club.

Lin, chasing a first Asian Tour title, was the first to bow out with a bogey in the first hole played over the par four 18th before Chinarat sealed an emotional victory with a par when Prom, who had surged into contention with a stunning 65, missed his par attempt from four feet.

Chinarat said his coach Bud Kareeput, who died of a heart attack last month, "helped me" drain a pressure-cooker 12-foot birdie putt at the last hole in regulation to force his way into the play-off.

"I'm giving this win to my teacher (Bud)," said Chinarat, who held back tears at the prize presentation ceremony. "I feel very happy. On every shot, I was thinking of him. I asked for his help on the last hole (in regulation) and he helped me. I knew I had to birdie that hole and after doing that, I was confident for the play-off," added the overnight leader, who signed off with a 71.

The Crowne Plaza Open success, worth US$31,700, was Chinarat's second triumph on the Asian Tour following his breakout victory at the Double A International on home soil last November when he was still an amateur. It pushed him to 19th place on the latest UBS Order of Merit.

Prom, who started the day six shots off the pace, charged into the title frame with a nine-birdie round while Lin jostled for the lead with Thai duo and pulled off a courageous par save on 18 in regulation for a 67 to join the play-off.

Chinarat looked down and out as he trailed by two shots with three remaining but the former world junior amateur champion showed his mettle and brilliantly birdied the par five 16 and last hole. "I am really happy to have done that," he said. "I'm also happy that I'm able to take home the prize money this time," grinned Chinarat, who wasn't allowed to bag the top prize in his first win because of his amateur status.

The burly Prom, winner of the SK Telecom Open in Korea in May, was disappointed to have missed his short putt in the second play-off hole. "I just pulled my putt," said the 22-year-old. "I still feel good as I never thought I would have the chance to get up the leaderboard. On the back nine, I started making birdies and I knew I was close.

"Chinarat is a good player, he strikes the ball nicely and he holed some good putts as we all saw in the play-off."

It was so near yet so far again for the 32-year-old Lin, who was forced to settle for his second career runner-up finish. "My driver let me down in the weekend. In the first play-off hole, the wind pushed my ball into the rough and I could only hack it out.

"I knew I had only one chance of making that par putt attempt from 15 feet but I stroked it too hard. I'll try again the next time as I want to win one in Asia," said Lin.

Australian duo Unho Park and Adam Blyth shared fourth place with last season's number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand on 274, two shots behind the play-off trio. Anthony Kang of the United States and Alistair Pressnell of Australia were tied for seventh on 275.

India's Amandeep Johl settled for ninth place after a closing 70 while China's best performer was Li Chao, who came in tied 31st on 283 after closing with a 67.

Leading final round scores

272 - Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 65-68-68-71, Prom Meesawat (THA) 69-71-67-65, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 67-64-74-67

(Chinarat wins title with par at second hole of sudden-death play-off)

274 - Adam Blyth (AUS) 67-67-70-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68-67-68-71, Unho Park (AUS) 73-64-66-71

275 - Alistair Presnell (AUS) 71-71-65-68, Anthony Kang (USA) 74-68-64-69

276 - Amandeep Johl (IND) 67-69-70-70

277 - Kao Bo-song (TPE) 69-69-71-68, Anton Haig (RSA) 71-69-67-70

278 - Garth Mulroy (RSA) 70-71-67-70

279 - Brad Iles (NZL) 71-72-70-66, Sung Mao-chang (TPE) 72-70-67-70

280 - Simon Yates (SCO) 73-70-70-67, Ross Bain (SCO) 67-72-72-69, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 70-70-71-69, S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 70-72-68-70, Lin Keng-chi (TPE) 69-71-68-72, Gaurav Ghei (IND) 71-67-70-72, Yasin Ali (ENG) 71-69-67-73, Robin Hodgetts (AUS) 67-71-68-74

281 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 68-69-75-69, Scott Taylor (USA) 74-69-70-68, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 71-72-68-70

282 - Artemio Murakami (PHI) 71-71-71-69, Martin Rominger (SUI) 70-72-70-70, Simon Dunn (SCO) 71-68-74-69, Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 71-68-74-69, Kim Tae-jin (KOR) 71-66-76-69

August 20, 2006

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