After concluding his round with a three-under-par 69, Suteepat Prateeptienchai secured a two-shot victory at the Yeangder TPC in Chinese-Taipei.
The 31-year-old Thai golfer completed the US$1 million event on 21-under par, edging out John Catlin, the top-ranked player on the Asian Tour, who secured second place after a typically powerful closing 65. The American golfer initiated his round with a bang, scoring birdies on his initial five holes.
Lee Chieh-po from Chinese-Taipei was fourth, another stroke behind, after a 67, while Miguel Tabuena from the Philippines was uncontested third, one shot back, following a 70. The event took place at Linkou International Golf & Country Club in Taipei.
"I adore Taiwan!" exclaimed Suteepat, who had previously achieved victory on the Asian Tour at the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open last year, which took place in Chinese-Taipei. He won by four strokes.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai. Photograph by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
"Today was challenging due to the wind and the presence of talented players who pursued me." Upon viewing Catlin's score, I experienced a surge of anxiety.
He maintained a two-shot advantage at the outset of the day, and despite Catlin's exceptional start, he was in complete command until a lapse in concentration toward the conclusion, when he bogeyed holes 15 and 16.
Catlin, who was playing two groups ahead, made a birdie on the par-five 18th, resulting in Suteepat's arrival at the final hole with a one-shot lead. Nevertheless, any notions of the event proceeding to extra holes were promptly dispelled when he located the front of the green in two and nearly eagled his shot before tapping in for a birdie and the victory.
"I encountered difficulty on 15, as I erred by crossing the green and subsequently discovered a greenside bunker on 16." However, I continued to believe that I am the leader and must maintain my position. This is significant; an exemption for two years [on the Asian Tour] is truly remarkable!
Catlin has achieved only the second wire-to-wire victory of the year, the other being at the Saudi Open presented by PIF.
John Catlin. Photograph by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The win significantly surpassed Suteepat's previous best performance of the year, which was a joint sixth place finish at the Mandiri Indonesia Open in August. As a result, he has advanced from 47th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit to eighth.
It also signifies that Suteepat has achieved another remarkable victory in his inaugural season on the Asian Tour. After earning his license by winning the 2022 Asian Development Tour Order of Merit, he played his first complete season last year, which was bolstered by three exceptional victories in Indonesia.
Catlin, who was also the winner of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn this year and the leader of The International Series Rankings, increased the strain by making a birdie on the seventh hole and finishing in a six-under-par 30.
It is unsurprising that Suteepat took notice, particularly when Catlin made birdie on 10. However, the Thai leader was fortunate in that the birdies dried up for the in-form American, who missed his sole shot of the day on 16 before making a birdie on the final hole.
"It was windy, difficult, and rainy; I believe we encountered every conceivable weather condition," stated Catlin, the 2016 winner of this event.
Miguel Tabuena. Photograph by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
"I believe that my years spent in Europe have paid off today; I managed to navigate the situation quite well."
"I was able to convert a few of the opportunities that I was presented with today, as I was able to hit the ball much better than I did yesterday." I had a few stone corpses, which is always beneficial. I continued to derive pleasure and pleasure from playing golf.
He currently holds a substantial 1,146.83 point advantage over David Puig of Spain, who is in second place on the Merit list. It will require an extraordinary performance to surpass him in the remaining nine events.
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters at Taiwan Golf & Country Club will provide Suteepat with an additional opportunity to capitalize on his affinity for Chinese-Taipei next week, as the Asian Tour will remain in the country.