SIMON GRIFFITHS JOINT SECOND IN
VIETNAM MASTERS AT HANOI

Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat claimed a two-shot victory in the inaugural Hana Bank Vietnam Masters today after a blistering finish at Hanoi Phoenix Golf Resort.
The Thai player fired a closing five-under-par 67, which included three birdies over his last four holes, and finished two strokes ahead of Simon Griffiths of England and compatriot Chawalit Plaphol to claim his second title of the year.
By picking up the winner’s cheque of US$79,250, Chapchai stayed in the hunt for the prestigious Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit crown where he has now moved up to third place and is the only player who can deny current leader Liang Wen-chong of China the merit title.
Griffiths who started the day in second place got off to a disappointing start which he had not expected.
“I was disappointed with way I started. I had a bogey on the fourth hole after missing a silly putt. I then shot a horrible tee shot on the ninth and went on to miss the green on the 12th,” said the Englishman who finished on 278.
The 33-year old tried to make amends from the 13th hole when he had the opportunity to make birdies on almost every hole. Sadly, he was left to rue all his missed chances with his poor finishing
“I count myself lucky to finish second considering that I was fifth at one point.I had my chances, but Chapchai made a great finish with birdies on the 16th and 17th holes today. He deserves to win this week,” said Griffiths.
Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley of Ireland endured several costly errors on three successive holes - 14th, 15th and 16th holes which caused him to tumble down the leaderboard and end his campaign in joint fifth position on 281.
“I got a little bit impatient at the end. I didn’t putt very well. I took on some pins out there and I tried to force the error because I didn’t feel like I was going to make those putts,” said McGinley.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
276 Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-70-67
278 Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-67-67-73, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 68-70-68-72
279 Anthony Kang (USA) 73-66-70-70
281 Charlie Wi (KOR) 71-70-71-69, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 68-70-73-70, Zaw Moe (MYN) 70-72-69-70, Paul McGinley (IRL) 74-67-68-72
282 Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 68-73-74-67, Ross Bain (SCO) 69-72-73-68, David Gleeson (AUS) 73-69-70-70, Simon Yates (SCO) 70-70-70-72, Han Lee (USA) 69-70-70-73
284 Rahil Gangjee (IND) 69-71-74-70, Jason King (AUS) 68-75-71-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 73-69-69-73