TAMSUI: Thailand's Suradit Yongcharoenchai pocketed his career's biggest prize cheque and win when he held on for a one-shot victory after his closest rivals failed to mount a challenge at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday.
Suradit, who started his final round at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club one shot back of overnight leaders Ajeetesh Sandhu of India and Philippines' Miguel Tabuena, closed with a two-under-par 70 to clinch his breakthrough on the Asian Tour where he made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2015.
"I played without any pressure today. I was very sharp with my short game and I guess that helped," said Suradit. "But I'm proud of how I played today because it's not easy especially against a quality field.
"I'm an Asian Tour winner now and it feels really good to know that. I've been working hard all these years and I'm glad I've been finally rewarded with this win today. I know today's victory will lead to more opportunities and better things to come for me."
Suradit started well with a birdie on his third hole but gave two shots back with a double-bogey six on the next hole. The Thai was quick to make amends when he charged to the turn with three birdies on his next four holes.
But after making another birdie on 13, he dropped a shot on 14 before making four straight pars to sign off with a four-day total of 10-under-par 278.
The Thai was left to wait for close to 30 minutes, watching the final group in action from the sidelines.
While Sandhu signed off with a birdie, a costly double-bogey on 16 effectively ruined his chances of clinching his second Asian Tour title.
Tabuena had the best chance to force a play-off with Suradit on 18 but his approach landed in the bunker from where he could not get his ball onto the green, resulting in a bogey, which also confirmed Suradit's entry into the winner's circle for the first time.
