Kota Kinabalu: Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat clinched his second Sabah Masters crown after a closely contested final round at the rain-drenched Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club on Saturday.
Winner of the 2011 edition, Wisut displayed his mastery around the challenging par-71 tract, pulling away from a packed leaderboard with a solid six-under 65 for a two-shot victory in US$75,000 ASEAN PGA Tour championship.
Overnight joint leader Michael Tran of Vietnam birdied the 17th to tie Wisut on seven-under but pulled his second shot on the last into the water to fall into a tie for second alongside Sattaya Supupramai (68) of Thailand on six-under 278.
Defending champion Antonio Lascuna from the Philippines, Singaporean Mardan Mamat, veteran Filipino Frankie Minoza, who won this event in 1989, and Ratchapol Jantavara tied for fourth, four shots behind the winner.
The victory pushed Wisut to third on the final Order of Merit, guaranteeing him full playing privilege on the OneAsia circuit in 2014.
“I’m lost for words – I’m really happy. It all came right this week and I feel confident going in to the new year. I don’t know what I would have done if I not got my OneAsia card. It is very important. I am more delighted than when I won this title for the first time two years ago,” said Wisut, who picked up a cheque for US12,178.
The 31-year-old stalwart carded five birdies in total – pulling off exquisite approaches on both 16th and 18th for gains that compensated for dropped shots on the first and 13th.
“I knew that I had to finish strongly but I was not thinking about winning just yet because at least three to four players were in it. The birdie on 16th brought me right back into the mix and I just stayed focus down the stretch and got the job done. I don’t think I’ve hit a better shot this year,” he added on his approach on 18th, where he hit a rescue wood to within a feet from the pin.
Sabahan Nicholas Fung, who has been struggling with a flu all week, finished as the top Malaysian in the field on even-par 284 while Kwanchai Tannin wrapped up the Order of Merit title by finishing in equal 13th place.
Leading final round scores – Par 71 (Malaysian unless stated)
276 – Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 69-74-65-68
278 – Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 68-72-70-68, Michael Tran (VIE) 65-73-70-70
280 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 68-73-72-67, Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 73-70-68-69, Antonio Lascuna (PHI)71-72-67-70, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 69-71-69-71, Ratchapol Jantavara (THA) Thailand 74 69 65 72
282 – Mithun Perera (SRI) 70-72-71-69
283 – Charles Hong (PHI) 70-72-69-72
284 – Poosit Supupramai (THA) 74-71-70-69, Nicholas Fung 72-72-70-70
285 – Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 72-71-72-70, Pipatpong Naewsuk (THA) 69-71-74-71, Ben Leong71-71-71-72, Mohd Rizal Amin (MAS) 73-72-68-72
