Danang, Vietnam: Australian Aaron Wilkin shot a scintillating bogey-free 65 to overturn a seven-stroke overnight deficit to win the BRG Open Golf Championship Danang.

Overnight leader Deyen Lawson was unable to capitalise on his advantage in the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event. He carded a closing one-over-par 73 to finish in solo second, one shot behind Wilkin on 207.

Wilkin’s remarkable win set the seal on a week that did much to help spread the word about Danang as one of Asia’s golfing hotspots.

As part of the week-long golfing festival in the central coast city, dozens of prominent golf industry individuals attended the Asian Golf Industry Federation Conference, held at the Sheraton Danang, also the official hotel for the ADT tournament.

At the conference, golf course design, new industry trends and golf tourism all featured prominently on the agenda. On the Nicklaus Course at BRG Da Nang Golf Resort, Indian Saptak Talwar (68) and Japan’s Naoki Sekito (74) ended four shots behind Wilkin in joint third place on 210.

Starting in the third from last group, Wilkin knew he was a long way back from the leaders but trusted his game and hoped the last few holes on would play into his hands.

“I’m a little bit nervous at the moment,” he said after posting his score and waiting for the remaining golfers to complete their rounds.

“It was bit tricky, I haven’t seen the scores yet but there were a few tough pins and the wind was swirling there a little bit. I’ll take seven under.

“I think I was seven back after yesterday. I knew I had to go low, but I didn’t think it was out of my reach. I was hoping it would be a tough finish which would maybe bring a few of them back.

“I played to my gameplan. It doesn’t always go the way you map it out but today it did, so I’m pretty happy with that.”

Wilkin said his putting was key to his low score.

“I’ve been struggling with my putting and I’ve been waiting for a day when they all go in. They didn’t all go in today … but they pretty much did. I had some good par saves and then I holed the putt on the last which was probably a bit lucky, I was nervous and my hands were shaking,” he added.

First round leader Joe Heraty (74) of England was among those who were caught out by the tricky final holes on the Nicklaus Course.

Three dropped shots in the final five holes added to his woes and he finished in a group in fifth on five-under with Malaysian Galven Green (72) and Tunyapat Sukkoed (69) of Thailand.

Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh followed two even-par returns with a final round 68. The talented youngster, who scored a bronze medal in the men’s individual event at this year’s SEA Games, finished in solo eighth place.

In ninth place, on three-under, were Thais Pisitchai Thippong (68), Sangchai Kaewcharoen (68) and Thanpisit Omsin (71), together with Paul San (67) of Malaysia, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan (75) and Naraajie Ramadhanputra (70) of Indonesia.