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Australia's Marcus Both ended a six-year title drought on the
Asian Tour after securing a nail-biting one-stroke victory over
Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on
Sunday.
The Australian was six off the pace going into the final round
but fired a closing five-under-par 67 to secure a winning total of
nine-under-par 279 at the $300 000 Asian Tour event.
Shaaban needed a birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff but
could only make par as he signed for a 70 to finish a career-high
second at the Phokeethra Country Club.
Singapore's Mardan Mamat (67), Shiv Kapur of India (70) and
rising Thai star Annop Tangkamolprasert (74) finished a further
shot behind on 281.
Overnight leader Craig Smith of Wales failed to maintain his
title charge and closed with a disappointing 76 for tied sixth
place alongside Will Yanagisawa of the United States and Thailand's
Pariya Junhasavasdikul on 282.
Both was delighted to return to the winner's rostrum.
"I was not thinking about winning and the only time I looked at
the leaderboard was when I was walking up on the 16th hole. I
thought I needed to shoot six-under to get close but I guess I'm
just fortunate that everything fell my way," said Both, who took
home a cheque for $47 550.
The lanky Australian started his charge with birdies on the
2nd, 6th and 8th holes to make the turn in 33 and continued
his hot streak with three consecutive birdies from the 11th hole. A
dropped shot on the 14th ensured a nervous wait in the clubhouse
for Both.
Shaaban came agonisingly close after challenging for the lead
with four birdies en route to a 70 but at the end, he rued a double
bogey on the 9th hole after finding water. He needed to birdie
the last hole to force extra-time but could only make par after
finding the fairway bunker.
"I am really disappointed with my finish because I really gave
it my all. Even though I finished second, deep down inside, I feel
that I am a winner. This is my best finish on the Asian Tour and I
think if I can continue to push like I did this week, my maiden
title will come soon enough," said Shaaban.
Singaporean veteran Mardan carded a flawless round highlighted
by five birdies and was delighted to finish joint third.
"It has been quite a long time since I saw my name on the
leaderboard so it was about time to shoot something good," said
Mardan.
Kapur started his round brightly with three birdies on the
second, fourth and fifth but suffered a double bogey on the seventh
which derailed his title push. He finished with a 70 which should
be enough to secure his Asian Tour card for next season.
"One of the goals that I wanted to accomplish coming into this
week was to secure my card and I managed to accomplish that. I
didn't get my win but it was nice to be in contention. Sometimes
you just come out short," said the Indian.
SCORES
279 - Marcus Both (AUS) 70-69-73-67
280 - Shaaban Hussin (MAS) 71-67-72-70
281 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 74-70-70-67, Shiv Kapur (IND) 70-67-74-70, Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 68-69-70-74
282 - Will Yanagisawa (USA) 71-67-75-69, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 68-70-72-72, Craig Smith (WAL) 69-66-71 76
283 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 73-72-69-69, Somchai Pongpaew (THA) 71-67-75-70, Bryan Saltus (USA) 73-70-69-71, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 72-70-69-72
284 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 70-71-75-68, Anthony Kang (USA) 71-75-70-68, Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (THA) 75-67-71-71, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 71-68-72-73
285 - Rhys Davies (WAL) 74-71-72-68, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 72-69-74-70, Vikrant Chopra (IND) 69-71-75-70, Artemio Murakami
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