Thailand's Thaworn wins Macau Open by six shots

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MACAU, China -- Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant continued his rich vein of form to claim his 11th Asian Tour victory with a commanding six-shot triumph at the Macau Open on Sunday.

Thaworn, who finished 11th in Switzerland last week, charged home with a closing 3 under for a four-day total of 15-under 269 to pip India's rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar at the $500,000 full-field Asian Tour event.

Bhullar, winner of the Indonesia President Invitational this season, powered his way to a final-round 66 at the Macau Golf and Country Club to finish in second place at 275.

Asian Tour rookie Matthew Griffin of Australia surged up the leaderboard with an eagle on the second hole to take a share of third place alongside South African Keith Horne at 278.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-hong and Yoshinobu Tsukada of Japan ended their campaign in fifth position at 279 while China's Zhang Lian-wei and Australia's Rick Kulacz were among the seven players bunched in tied seventh at 280.

Thaworn's victory left him one title short of equaling compatriot's Thongchai Jaidee's record of 12 career wins on the Asian Tour, but the 42-year-old is confident of surpassing Jaidee's record.

"I try to win every tournament, but the thought of overcoming Thongchai's victories on the Asian Tour is not my main objective, as I only strive to do my best. I will continue to play on the Asian Tour, and if I am fit enough, I think breaking his record would not be a problem," said Thaworn.

Thaworn had an anxious two-hour gap when he finished his third round early this morning, but that did not disrupt his concentration as he resumed his title charge by posting five birdies against two bogeys en route to his emphatic win.

"I didn't take my five-stroke advantage for granted, because on this course, anything can happen. The other players were also very close, and I was playing it safe until the back nine, where I was more confident of winning," said Thaworn who was Asia's number one in 2005.

Meanwhile Bhullar opened his round brilliantly with a birdie and eagle followed by another birdie on his first three holes. However, with Thaworn in fine form, the Indian tipped his hat to the Thai for his fantastic victory.

"I had a good trot, and that gave me a lot of boost. I was having a look at Thaworn's score, but he was way in front of me, and I didn't think I could catch him. He is our Asian hero, and I look up to him for his achievement on the Asian Tour," said Bhullar.

Griffin, who earned his Tour card after finishing in the top 10 at the Asian Tour Qualifying School, fired a 65 courtesy of an eagle on the second hole, which he sank after his 3-wood approach from 250 yards landed within 10 feet of the pin.

"It is fantastic to be up there on the leaderboard after struggling this year. It is important to get off to a good start, and the eagle really got me going. Hopefully this top-10 finish will get me going for the remaining rounds," said Griffin, who has missed four cuts in his last seven events.

Horne rued a cold putter and was disappointed not to finish in second place after decorating his scorecard with three birdies and two bogeys for a 70.

"I am happy with my third-place finish, but I am a little frustrated with my game. I couldn't get things going the last two days as the putter wasn't working," said Horne

"It was a little frustrating coming in, as I was trying to finish second. Thaworn got off to a good start, and I didn't, so that really made the difference," added the South African.

Tournament marquee name Jean Van De Velde of France tied for 25th after a four-day total of 283.