Chiangmai [THAILAND]: Danny Chia claimed his best finish on the Asian Tour in almost two years when he finished tied-seventh at the US$750,000 Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT on Sunday.
The seasoned campaigner bounced back from a poor opening 74 to return with rounds of 68, 68 and 67 to settle alongside Major winner Jason Dufner, Jbe Kruger of South Africa and Australian Scott Barr on eleven-under 277.
The quartet were six strokes adrift of winner Rashid Khan of India, who clinched his second Asian Tour title with a gutsy closing four-under 68 at the Alpine Golf Resort
Chia’s last top ten finish came at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in September 2012 when he finished alone in fifth and the 42-year-old was delighted with his week’s effort.
“I figured out something that clicked in my swing after the first round and I’ve been riding on it since. This is my best finish so far this season and I’m happy with how I played this week. I played really solid. I hope better results will come in the remaining of the season. I haven’t felt so comfortable on the golf course for a while now. I hope I can keep up this good form in the next few events,” said Chia.
Having carded three birdies to make the turn on 33, the highlight of his round came with when he drained a long eagle putt after driving the ball superbly on the par-four 10th.
“I think I understand more about my swing on the course now and that gave me a lot of confidence. I sank a 30-footer for eagle on the 10th which was obviously the highlight for me today. I didn’t expect the ball to go in.”
Chia missed much of the 2013 season due to a career-threatening neck and shoulder injury which required surgery and is only playing on a medical exemption. His earnings of US$17,531.25 saw him leap inside the top 60 of the Asian Tour’s money list for the first time this season.
“My right arm still gets a little worn out after every round but I do try to get enough rest. It’s on and off but it seems stronger for the last two weeks which is good news for me. I hope I can continue to play well and hopefully finish top-60 to secure my card for the next season,” noted the 42-year-old.
The nation’s other representative Nicholas Fung was tied-48th with an even-par 288 overall.
