Dhaka, Bangladesh: Jazz Janewattananond cruised to his maiden Asian Tour victory after closing with a flawless four-under-par 67 to win by four shots at the US$300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open.
The 21-year-old Thai, who started the round with a four-shot advantage, showed nerves of steel as he completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Kurmitola Golf club with a winning total of 17-under 267.
Victory came as a relief to Jazz, who failed to keep his Asian Tour card last season after finishing 63^rd on the Order of Merit. He returned to the Qualifying School last month but did not manage to secure his card there.
“A lot of things were going through my head walking down the 18^th hole. I have been in the lead for the last couple of times but was just not able to get the job done.
“I was in contention in India but I shot seven-over on the last day and stumbled down the leaderboard. I lost the play-off in the ADT event in Thailand last December,too.
“I wasn’t disappointed actually because I knew my chance would come soon. I just accepted my results. You’ve got to learn to handle the pressure somehow. I guess those setbacks helped my game.
“I have been waiting for this win for so long. I started playing on the Asian Tour when I was an amateur at 14. It’s just a huge relief that I managed to get the job done.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night. Even though I had a four-shot lead, I still wasn’t comfortable heading out today. I think this is the longest 18 holes that I have played in my life. I am happy that I am through it.”
Home hero Siddikur Rahman flew his country’s flag high, emerging as the best-placed local player in second place following a 66 in what was the third leg of the Asian Tour schedule this season.
American Dodge Kemmer secured his best finish on the Asian Tour after returning a 68 to take third place on his own on 273.