Aussie Scott Hend wins Thailand Classic

 

Hua Hin, Thailand: Australian Scott Hend held off a fast-finishing Piya Swangarunporn of Thailand to win the True Thailand Classic presented by Chang by one stroke today. 

The 42-year-old Hend birdied the 14^th and 17^th holes for a closing four-under-par 68 and an 18-under-par 270 winning aggregate at Black Mountain Golf Club after Piya raised the roof with a new course record of 63.

It was Hend’s eighth Asian Tour victory and second European Tour title in the US$1.75 million co-sanctioned tournament and he took home US$291,660, which propelled him into fourth place on the latest Asian Tour’s Order of Merit. 

Belgium’s Thomas Pieters settled for third place following a 68, three strokes behind the new champion while American prospect Peter Uihlein was a further stroke back in fourth after  a 70.

Victory was sweet atonement for Hend, who finished tied second in last year’s True Thailand Classic where he also led into the final day. The overnight leader by two was also fired up to make amends after a poor outing at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in the United States last week.

“To win this tournament after last year’s disappointing finish and to get back into the winner’s circle in Europe and to stay in the winner’s circle in Asia, is extremely important to me. I’m very proud to win this title,” said a jubilant Hend. 

“Last week was extremely disappointing and somewhat deflating. I knew I was swinging the club pretty well. Maybe I was more patient this week and it all came together.”

Piya, 32, threatened to spoil Hend’s party by charging into contention with an amazing run of seven birdies and one eagle where he chipped in for a two on the 10^th hole. After the unheralded Thai drained a 20-foot birdie on 18 to set the clubhouse target, Hend found himself trailing by one.

 

 

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

par 288 (4x72) Yardage 7,492

270 - Scott HEND (AUS) 68-64-70-68.

271 - Piya SWANGARUNPORN (THA) 68-68-72-63.

273 - Thomas PIETERS (BEL) 73-66-66-68.

274 - Peter UIHLEIN (USA) 64-71-69-70.

275 - Pelle EDBERG (SWE) 65-67-73-70.

276 - Joost LUITEN (NED) 70-68-70-68.

277 - Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 73-68-69-67, Simon YATES (SCO) 67-68-72-70, Benjamin HEBERT (FRA) 72-64-70-71 (T7) (40,889 euros each).

278 - Robert DINWIDDIE (ENG) 67-71-71-69, Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) 73-66-70-69, Gregory HAVRET (FRA) 69-70-70-69, Shaun NORRIS (RSA) 67-68-71-72.

279 - Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67-73-73-66, Lucas BJERREGAARD (DEN) 71-70-69-69, Joakim LAGERGREN (SWE) 68-71-70-70, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 69-69-70-71, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 68-70-69-72.

OTHER SCOTTISH SCORES
280 Marc Warren 68 68 72 72 (18,225 euros) (T19)
282 Scott Jamieson 66 76 70 70 (11,252euros) (T35)

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