Kuching: Young gun Jakraphan Premsirigorn of Thailand claimed his breakthrough win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) after defeating local hope Nicholas Fung by one shot at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) MNRB Sarawak Masters on Sunday.The 21-year-old closed his campaign with a stunning six-under-par 66 for a winning total of 16-under-par 272 at the RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) ADT event.

Second-placed Fung also battled to a 66 at the Sarawak Golf Club but failed to overtake Jakraphan, who is playing in his first season on the ADT this year.

R. Nachimuthu, who led the first three rounds, returned with a 69 to settle for third place while American Dodge Kemmer took fourth place on 277 after making a late charge up the leaderboard with a 66.

Australia’s Darren Tan and Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand totalled matching 278s to share fifth place after signing for rounds of 68 and 69 respectively.

Jakraphan, who has notched three other top-10 finishes on the ADT this season, credited ‘lady luck’ for his victory. “I am really lucky today. I putted nicely and I played very well. This win means a lot to me. I am very happy,” said the Thai.

“This will probably be my last ADT event this year. I’m going back home to work on my game and prepare for the Asian Tour Qualifying School next year,” added Jakraphan, who took home the winner’s prize purse of US$10,205 courtesy of his win.

Fung was disappointed for missing out on his second ADT win but claimed that Jakraphan deserved the win. “To be honest, I’m disappointed for not winning but I am happy with my round today. I played well so I can’t complain. Jakraphan played really good. He deserves the win,” said Fung, who is currently the highest-ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) and is set confirm a sponsor’s invite to the lucrative CIMB Classic.

Despite finishing tied-33rd this week, American James Bowen continues to lead the ADT Order of Merit with a season’s haul of US$38,036. Fung moved up to second place after adding US$6,706 from his second-place finish this week.

Countryman Iain Steel, who claimed two consecutive wins on the ADT this season, slipped to third while Canadian Lindsay Renolds and England’s Grant Jackson are fourth and fifth respectively.

Leading final round scores
272 – Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 69-67-70-66
273 – Nicholas Fung 66-70-71-66
274 – R. Nachimuthu 65-70-70-69
277 – Dodge Kemmer (USA) 68-68-75-66
278 – Darren Tan (AUS) 71-70-69-68, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 73-69-67-69
280 – Philip Matsson (THA) 70-75-67-68, Pasavee Lertvilai (THA) 72-69-71-68, Charles Hong (PHI) 73-67-70-70, Masaru Takahashi (JPN) 70-70-70-70, Rufino Bayron (PHI) 73-67-68-72