James Byrne's late birdies earn him T3

 finish in Thailand and £4,844

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Banchory's James Byrne had a Merry Christmas by covering his last seven holes in four under par to finish joint third in the Asian Developmental Tour's Boonchu Ruangkit Championship at Charvnee Resort and Country Club, Thailand today (Sunday).
His final round of five-under-par 66 included seven birdies - at the first, second, sixth, 12th, 14th, 15th and 18th, offset by bogeys at the ninth and 11th.
Byrne's earlier rounds were 70, 66 and 68 and his final total of 14-under-par earned him £4,844.
Only two players, both from Thailand, finished ahead of the Scot who is based in Singapore as he plays the Asian Development Tour.
Danthai Boonma (65 67 72 65)  beat Jazz Janewattananond (63 72 70 64) at the fourth hole of a sudden death play-off for the title and first prize of £13,850 with 72-hole aggregates of 15-under-par 269. 
Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), who won the Paul Lawrie Match-play tournament at Murcar Links two years ago, finished tied 10th on 272.


LEADING FINAL TOTALS
par 284 (4x 71)
Players from Thailand unless stated
269 D Boonma 65 67 72 65, J Janewattananond 63 72 70 64 (Boonma won play-off at fourth extra hole)
270  J Byrne (Sco) 70 66 68 66, P Meesawat 71 66 71 62, R Wannasrichan 68 67 67 68.
271 R Sirithanakunsak 67 68 70 66, S Kooratanapisan 68 67 69 67, T Kaewsiribandit 71 66 66 68, T Jaidee 66 66 70 69.
SELECTED TOTAL
272 K Aphibarnrat 66 68 69 69 (T10)