Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant secured a record-equalling 13th Asian Tour title, and his first win in nearly two years, with a three-shot victory at the Queen’s Cup in Koh Samui on Sunday.
The 45-year-old star had a glorious eagle at the last hole of the Santiburi Samui Country Club for a three-under-par 68 to hold of challenges from Bangladesh’s Siddikur and reigning Asian number one Juvic Pagunsan.
Thaworn matched countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s number of triumphs on the circuit with a winning total of seven-under-par 277, earning himself $47,550 in the process, but he had to come from behind after bogeying the first.
“There was pressure from the first tee as I didn’t hit a good tee shot and made bogey, said Thaworn in comments released by the organisers.
“I’m very happy as I have worked hard in the past few weeks. My experience helps with the mental game. It helps me calm down and not get nervous. I can control that.”
Siddikur, chasing a second Asian Tour title, missed a costly par putt from two feet at the 15th hole while he was one ahead of Thaworn.
The Thai hero took full advantage, holing a five-foot birdie on 16 before a 12-foot eagle conversion at the 18th hole.
“The turning point was the 15th hole when Siddikur missed his putt,” said Thaworn.
“On 18, I was teeing off first and I couldn’t afford to make any mistake. I hit a good drive and I was quite confident. I could then smile after that,” he added.
Pagunsan closed with a solid 68 to finish tied second in what was the 11th leg of this season’s Asian Tour.
Final scores at the Queen’s
Cup Bangkok Airways (par 71):
277 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-67-72-68
280 – Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 75-65-72-68,
Siddikur (BAN) 70-68-71-71
281 – Himmat Rai (IND) 70-72-72-67,
Guido Van Der Valk (NED) 70-72-69-70
282 – Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 69-75-69-69, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 71-68-72-71,
Varut Chomchalam (THA) 72-71-66-73
284 – Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 67-74-73-70
285 – Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 76-70-75-64, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-70-72-76
286 – Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 71-73-71-71, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-72-74-72,
Baek Seuk-Hyun (KOR) 68-73-70-75,
Jonathan Moore (USA) 72-72-67-75
287 – Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 73-69-71-74.
