Asian Tour duo do the double in Japan and Wales

Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and Scott Strange of Australia enjoyed maiden victories in Japan and Europe respectively as the Asian Tour celebrated a double on Sunday.

Prayad shot a three-under-par 68 in the final round, including a birdie at his last hole, and enjoyed a narrow one stroke win over Shintaro Kai in the Misubishi Diamond Cup at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club.

The Hua-hin based Thai followed in the footsteps of compatriot Chawalit Plaphol by winning in Japan while Strange enjoyed a memorable triumph at the Celtic Manor Wales Open, leading the tournament from start to finish.

Prayad is a six-time winner on the Asian Tour and is also a regular feature in Japan but has over the years finished second on numerous occasions. In his victory speech, an emotional Prayad thanked his late coach Supphaphorn Maphungphong for helping him in his career.

Korea's Hur Suk-ho ended his run in a tie for 26th place after a 69 while Chinese Taipei’s Lin Keng-chi posted his third straight 71 and claimed tied 31st spot. China’s Liang Wen-chong shot his best round of 68 and finished in joint 38th position.

Strange followed suit by firing a superb final round 64 to close out an emphatic four stroke victory over Sweden’s Robert Karlsson and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin.

The Perth-born player produced a winning total of 22-under-par 262 at the Celtic Manor Resort. He enjoyed a comfortable finish on top of the pack thanks to seven birdies in the bogey-free final round.

"I'm going to stay the night and have a couple of drinks," said Strange who shrugged off a dizzy spell while playing the third round on Saturday.

“I played great out there and I am delighted to have won. I knew a few guys would come after me but I could only control what I was doing and I knew that if I shot a half decent score they would have to shoot something like ten under to beat me, which is exactly what I did.

“I had a bit of a poor tee shot on the last hole but it was a bit of a vacant brain moment, there was nothing in there after all that has gone on. But I got the ball away and found it in the rough thankfully and was able to make par, which was a good way to finish,” added the 31-year-old champion.

Strange earned his first full playing rights this season in Europe when he was ranked in 106th on the money list last year. He had previously finished in the top-10 at the Dunhill Links Championship in 2007.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh shot a 71 and finished in a tie for 10th spot while Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee posted a 65 and ended his campaign in joint 39th place.

June 2, 2008

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