Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia: Thai Pavit Tangkamolprasert rounded off a superb week when he fired a three-under-par 69 to claim his third Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory at the PGM MNRB Sarawak Championship.
One month after clinching his second ADT title in Malaysia, Pavit mixed his card with one eagle and four birdies against three bogeys to compile a four-day total of 14-under-par 274 at the RM250,000 (about US$80,000) event.
Malaysian Arie Irawan marked his best result on the ADT this season following a 68 to take second place with Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand, who slipped with a closing 74 after sharing the overnight lead with Pavit at the Sarawak Golf Club.
Annop, younger brother of Pavit, battled to a 68 to stay one shot back in fourth place with England’s Grant Jackson while Malaysian Sukree Othman and Thai Pasamet Pogamnerd shared sixth on 281.
Pavit, aged 25, came to prominence when he won his first ADT title in the 2013 season-ending event in Jakarta and has continued that form this year with two victories and five top-fives.
Pavit’s overnight four-shot lead was never really threatened despite ending his round with three consecutive bogeys.
The Thai moved up one rung to second place on the Order of Merit, now trailing top ranked Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei by about US$16,400.
“I am really pleased with my win today. I’ve been playing some good golf and with this win, I am quite confident of finishing in top-five on the final Order of Merit to earn my Asian Tour card for 2015,” said Pavit, who took home the winner’s prize of US$13,769 and six Official World Golf Ranking points.
Pavit, who played in his eighth consecutive event this week, has been honing his skills on the ADT since missing out on his Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School in February.
“Playing on the ADT has helped my game. I gained a lot of experience and I think my game has improved a lot. I’m getting used to coping with all the travelling and playing in all kinds of conditions through the different tournaments every week,” said Pavit.
“I’ve been trying to maintain my fitness. I’m glad to still be able to play well although I am getting tired. I will continue to work on that as I still have a couple more events to go,” added Pavit.