Aphibarnrat crowned Match Play King at Murcar
 EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat kept his cool to conjure a magnificent, tournament-winning approach to the final green to beat Robert Karlsson by one hole in the final of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Murcar Links today.
The 26 year old was three up with four to play before losing the 15th, 16th and 17th, but held his nerve at the 18th to secure his third European Tour title, and second of the 2015 season, in quite sensational style.
Aphibarnrat, who ended hopes of a home win when he saw off Scotland's Marc Warren in the semi-finals on Sunday morning, took a two-hole lead after birdieing three of the first four holes of the final, and he increased his advantage at the sixth as Karlsson twice tangled with the heavy rough.
Karlsson reduced the deficit to just one hole after firing birdies at the eighth and ninth but this year's Shenzhen International winner Aphibarnrat took the 11th and 14th to return to three up.
Two birdies and a par at the next three holes saw the Swede draw level, and he looked to be in control on the 18th when he fired his second shot to ten feet.
But Aphibarnrat responded with interest, producing that wonderful second shot at the last, and after Karlsson had missed his putt, he rolled in from four feet to win the tournament.
Meanwhile England's David Howell, who Karlsson had defeated in the morning semi-final, recovered from his narrow semi-final defeat to Karlsson to beat Warren by one hole in Sunday afternoon's third / fourth place match.

Player Quotes

Kiradech Aphibarnrat: “I was striking the ball well and hitting it so well on the front nine, but then I lost a bit of energy and control. I started pulling some drives but I have to say I putted very well today and sank a lot of important putts – especially the putt to win which was very short but it was great to see it hit the middle of the hole. 
"I didn’t have too high expectations this week but I just came here and tried to enjoy the whole experience of playing in Scotland.
“This is a very important win for me because it is the first time I have won outside Asia. I have always said that we are just a little small country in Asia and that my next step to win in Europe, so I am so happy and so proud of myself that I was able to prove we also can win out of Asia. It’s an important win for Thai and all Asian players.”
Robert Karlsson: “He's tricky to play against because he's playing such a free and flowing golf it makes it slightly different. You never really know what he's going to do, which makes it tricky to stay on your own game because he's so aggressive. You know it most likely he's going to give a couple away, which he did on 8 and 15. But also, he's going to make birdies. 
He's tricky to play against but obviously a great, great player and made a fantastic birdie on the last so he deserved it the win.”
Paul Lawrie: “I think it's been an absolutely magnificent week to be fair. I don't think you could have asked for any more. 4Sports and Entertainment have promoted it for me and I think they have just done a wonderful job with everything. 
They have got everything right. It's their first real go at promoting a huge event. Mike Loggie at Saltire Energy is thrilled with how it's gone, as you can imagine. He's been here every day, and he's really enjoyed it, which is obviously the most important thing when your main guy is happy with how it's going. 
The feedback from the players has been brilliant. They have all loved the course so we look forward to trying to make the event bigger and better.”