'King Kong' ends five-year drought

Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat calmly holed a four-foot par putt to beat Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna in the first play-off hole at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters yesterday.

Big-hitting Chapchai, who is nicknamed ‘King Kong’ by his friends, held his nerve at the Seri Selangor Golf Club to secure his fourth Asian Tour victory, ending a five-year title drought in the US$410,000 event.

The 43-year-old Lascuna charged into contention with a masterful 63 to tie Chapchai, who closed with a 68 which included two finishing bogeys, on 10-under-par 274. The Thai then sealed the win when Lascuna’s missed his par putt from five feet in extra time.

India’s Anirban Lahiri settled for third place, two behind the play-off duo, following a final round 68 while Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States (71) and overnight leader Cameron Smith of Australia (73) were amongst those who shared fourth place on 278.

“I didn’t think this day would happen,” said a delighted Chapchai, who was drenched with water by the Thai players who had gathered around the 18th green.

“I didn’t think I’d have a chance to win [after five years]. Golf is a game where you need to stay patient. I always talked to my caddie that if I could keep my form, I felt I could get one win again,” added the Thai, who earned US$72,670 to jump into sixth place on the Order of Merit.

Chapchai, who holds the world scoring record of 32-under-par 256 when he won the SAIL Open in India in 2009, made life difficult for himself. With a two-shot cushion and two holes remaining, he hit errant drives which led to bogeys. But it didn’t matter at the end as he survived the play-off drama.

“I felt a lot of pressure. When I saw Antonio miss the putt [in the play-off], I knew I had a chance. It took the pressure off me a bit and I’m delighted to hole the putt. This win is different from the previous three as it’s my first time in a play-off. The emotion is different. I’m glad I managed to pull through,” said Chapchai, who became the second Thai in successive weeks to win on Tour following Prom Meesawat’s success in Taipei last week.

In-form Lascuna, who finished third last weekend, brilliantly snared six birdies and one eagle in regulation for his career low round but missed his maiden Asian Tour title by mis-reading his par putt attempt.

“I hit a good putt but the ball turned left at the end. I saw it as a straight putt but it turned. I’m still happy especially with a closing 63 which is my lowest on the Asian Tour. Last week, I also came close. I’m playing really good,” said the amiable Filipino, who moved up to third place on the Merit list to put himself in position to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in November.

“The feeling was exciting. I was trying to win. I’ll keep practising more, I won’t give up.”

 

Final round scores:

274 – Chapchai Nirat (Tha) 68-69-69-68, Antonio Lascuna (Phi) 70-70-71-63.

(Chapchai wins with a par on the first play-off hole)

276 – Anirban Lahiri (Ind) 64-68-76-68.

278 – Scott Barr (Aus) 70-69-72-67, Paul Peterson (Usa) 69-71-71-67, S.S.P Chowrasia (Ind) 66-70-73-69, David Lipsky (Usa) 72-66-69-71, Cameron Smith (Aus) 68-66-71-73.

279 – Carlos Pigem (Esp) 71-68-72-68, Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) 70-70-70-69, Jake Higginbottom (Aus) 72-65-70-72, Sattaya Supupramai (Tha) 68-70-68-73.

281 – Kalem Richardson (Aus) 72-73-68-68, Simon Griffiths (Eng) 70-68-72-71, Hung Chien-Yao (Tpe) 67-73-67-74.

282 – Jbe Kruger (Rsa) 71-70-72-69, Ryan Yip (Can) 71-70-69-72, Kieran Pratt (Aus) 69-72-68-73