Anirban Lahiri missed way too many putts and ended being tied second as Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant rewrote the record books by winning an unprecedented 18th Asian Tour title after closing with a five-under-par 67 to lift the King’s Cup on Sunday.
With his second victory on the region’s premier Tour this season, the Thai veteran also completed his royal collection having won the Queen’s Cup twice in 2012 and 2014 when it was staged as an Asian Tour event.
Lahiri, who led from the opening day, had to settle for a share of second place with Australia’s Andrew Dodt while Qualifying School graduate Kalem Richardson of Australia enjoyed another good outing in Thailand by taking a share of fourth place with Thailand’s Donthai Boonma and Paul Paterson of the United States.
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Rashid Khan stormed to a fine round 66, including an eagle two on par-4 ninth. He finished tied 13th at 11-under, while first round co-leader again struggled on the greens with a round of 72 for a total of 10-under and he was tied 16th, the same as Daniel Chopra (67).
Arjun Atwal (75) was tied 54th at three-under 285 while S Chikka (72) recovered form his third round 78, to finish at one-under and in tied 63rd place.
Lahiri was visibly disappointed not to have won again as another victory at the US$500,000 event would have meant more world ranking points and allowed him to close the gap on Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States.
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Lahiri said, “I wasn’t at my best today as I was really struggling on the greens. Thaworn was magic on the greens. Off the greens, he played fantastic on the front-nine and on the back-nine I had my chances and I just didn’t take them.
“I would have like to have won this week. We are not playing for lots of money and it’s difficult to bridge such a big gap and I’m running out of tournaments. I’ve to win at least one of these next three events to have a chance at winning the Order of Merit. I’m a little upset I didn’t close it out as I led wire—to—wire this week. I guess Thaworn was the better player today. I don’t think I played poorly but it was just not good enough to close it out,” said Lahiri.
He added, “I just missed way too many putts and it was disappointing to miss a short one on the last and that is going to hurt my world rankings. I’m upset with that. But it’s a solid week all in all and I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I just got to pick myself up and win next week.”
Rashid Khan had another decent finish as he closed the week with a superb 66. “I played really good golf this week.
Unfortunately I did not finish well the last three days (first three rounds). But today, I hit some really good shots and holed several good putts. I was seven—under after 15 holes but had a three—putt bogey on 16 and I made a three—putt on the last hole. I had eight putts in three greens but otherwise I’m happy with my game as I’m doing well. When I started the year, I was not targeting the Order of Merit.”
He added, “I was just looking for that first win on the Asian Tour. I’m more focused now for next year. That win at SAIL Open really got my season going and boosted my confidence. Then came Chiangmai. Winning outside India was one of the best feelings I experienced. It was the same kind of feeling I experienced when I won in India. Normally all players want to win outside their country to make their country proud and I’m glad I did it. I’m hoping to end the year on a high note now.”
Trailing overnight leader Lahiri by one shot, Thaworn set off with a blistering pace by reaching the turn in 32 at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.
He picked up another advantage with a birdie on 10 before dropping his only shot of the day on the par-four 12.
“It was not easy out there as Anirban and Andrew were piling the pressure on me. It got a little shaky on 12 when I bogeyed for the first time today. But I maintained my composure and managed to see it through,” said Thaworn.
Walking up to the 18th hole, the Thai veteran was determined not to let the contest go into a play-off with Lahiri and Dodt who were at 18-under.
“I really wanted to birdie 18 as I did not want to go into a play-off. I was confident of winning in regulation play but not in a play-off,” said Thaworn.
Thaworn remained steady under pressure by draining his 15-ft birdie putt to close with a winning total of 20-under-par 268.
“It feels good to have the complete Royal collection now.
I won the Queen’s Cup and now I can add the King’s Cup to my trophy cabinet,” said a jubilant Thaworn.
Dodt made a late charge by firing successive birdies in his closing three holes to give himself a glimmer of hope for at least a play-off.
But with Thaworn at his best, the Australian had to settle for second best.
“I thought that if I could birdie the last three holes and even eagle the last, I’ll be in for a chance. I hit a good putt on the last but it didn’t go in but full credit to Thaworn as he’s a world class player and managed to finish it off,” said Dodt.