Taifong, Chinese Taipei: Suteepat Prateeptienchai became the first player to successfully defend a title on the Asian Tour in seven years when he claimed victory in the US$400,000 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open after the closest of finishes.

The Thai golfer backed up his breakout star status by making a birdie on the final hole at Taifong Golf Club to beat his young compatriot Runchanapong Youprayong by one stroke.

He birdied the par-five 18th after chipping to two feet while Runchanapong, playing with him in the final group, missed his four from 10 feet moments earlier.

Suteepat shot a four-under-par 68 to finish at 22-under, while Runchanapong returned a 69.

“This means so much. I am very happy, and excited,” said Suteepat, who started the day sharing the lead with Runchanapong. “I made a bogey on six and that made me really angry. It fired me up and then I started making birdies.”

He birdied the next three holes and made another on 11 and was two ahead at that point before Runchanapong drew level with birdies on 15 and 17.

The victory, which earned him a cheque for US$72,000 and moved him to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, continues a remarkable run of form – particularly on this golf course and in this country.

Two years ago he was playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), and won the Order of Merit thanks to three wins in Indonesia and a second-place finish here in Taifong – when it was the ADT’s season-ending tournament.

A year later he went one better in Taifong, when the event was played on the Asian Tour for the first time, while two months ago he was victorious in the Yeangder TPC, also in Chinese-Taipei.

Added the 31-year-old: “Even my caddie said when I play here, I always have a chance.”

Suteepat is also the first player to defend the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open, and he is virtually assured of becoming the first foreigner to win the Taiwan PGA Merit list. Just two events remain on the Taiwan circuit where he has also been playing this year.

In addition, the win gives him a three-year exemption on the Asian Tour.

Runchanapong, aged 23 and in his second season in the pro game, found a fairway bunker off the tee on the last hole and wasn’t able to reach the green in two like Suteepat, although he hit a brilliant third in close.

“I thought that last putt was left edge but when I putted it didn’t move at all. It was a mis-read,” he said. “I have never been in this position on the Asian Tour before, so it definitely feels very special to come second. I thought I handled the pressure well even though I did not have my ‘A’ game.”

Indian SSP Chawrasia was the last player to defend a title when he triumphed in the Hero Indian Open in 2017.

The Asian Tour heads to the Link Hong Kong Open next week at Hong Kong Golf Club, one of three big money events in a row that will bring the season to a thrilling climax.

It’s followed by the International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. All three are also part of The International Series.