Seoul, Korea: Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana ended a three-year victory drought on the Asian Tour, winning the Kolon Korea Open on the unforgiving Dunes Course at La Vie Est Belle Golf Club.

The name of the club means ‘life is beautiful’ and Sadom was certainly feeling that way after prevailing following a gripping, see-saw battle with his countryman Poom Saksansin.

He closed with a combative one-under-par 70, on the long and demanding Dunes Course, to beat Poom by two shots in Korea’s flagship event. Sadom finished the tournament on seven-under, while third-round leader Poom closed with a 73.

The victory also means he has secured a place in The Open at Royal Portrush in July, as the event is part of the Open Qualifying Series. And he has also moved to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, overtaking Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz and American Ollie Schniederjans.

Korean Yoo Song-gyu claimed third place, another two shots back, after shooting 72.

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho finished strongly, carding the lowest round of the week, a 64, to end in share of fourth with a group of seven players that included Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and 19-year-old Korean amateur Kim Min-su, the reigning Korea Amateur and Taiwan Amateur champion.

This is Sadom’s first success since his memorable win in the 2022 Singapore Open.

He said: “I’m very excited, of course. I tried to concentrate more than the last three rounds. It is a big honour to win this event – it’s one of the biggest in the region.”

It was a thrilling final round with the two front-runners constantly exchanging the lead. Sadom started the day one behind Poom and was two back after a bogey on the first. However, Poom then doubled the next to square things up.

Sadom took the lead for the first time with a birdie on three but gave it back with a dropped shot on five. He went ahead again with a birdie on seven before Poom caught him after a birdie on eight. By the turn, Poom was one ahead after his playing partner dropped a shot on nine.

They were back to all square once more when Sadom made birdie on 12. Crucially, Poom then dropped a shot on 14 to hand the initiative back to Sadom. Another dropped shot by Poom on the ensuing hole gave Sadom a two-shot cushion with three to play and from there he held his composure to hang on for victory.

He said: “I’m happy when I play with my Thai friends, and Poom is a great player. His putter and short game are fantastic.

“I have changed my swing a little bit. I was trying to find a way to get better. So now I think I have, and I can rely on it.”

It’s an important result for Sadom. When he won the Singapore Open it was his second Asian Tour victory after his success in the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open in 2019 more titles were expected to follow for one of the region’s finest young players.

However, he had to wait until today before his third victory after coming close on many occasions. Since that win in Singapore he’d finished runner-up on three occasions, including in this year’s season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, and recorded five other top-fives.

He becomes the third Thai to win this event. Thongchai Jaidee was the first in 2000 while Jazz Janewattananond triumphed in 2019.

His qualification for The Open also has special significance as he played in the tournament once before, in 2022. On that occasion, when it was played at St Andrews, he tied for 11th – the best performance by a player from his country in the game’s oldest Major. It’s the only time he has played in a Major.

Poom will be disappointed to have just missed out, but he put in an incredible performance on a course that in theory should not suit him as he was one of the shortest hitters in the field.

However, with the fairways looking like narrow landing strips and the greens hard and fast he was able to capitalise on his strong trademark iron play and magical short game. He scrambled brilliantly and putted like a surgeon.

Sadly, after finishing his round he was told his grandmother had passed away – putting things very much into perspective.

He said: “It was a tough day, not too bad to finish in second place and keep my card. But I got some bad news from my house, so the result is not important now.”