Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin left the field trailing in his wake yesterday as he recorded a convincing seven-stroke victory at the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia.
He fired a final round four-under 68 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club for a winning total of 16-under 272. Thailand’s Wisut Artjawanat finished joint second along with Indonesian Johannes Dermawan. Both players shot 71s.
Andik Mauluddin, a rising star in Indonesia, and Anthony Fernando from the Philippines finished joint fourth, returning rounds of 68 and 67 respectively.
Kwanchai, who ended joint third last week at the Indian Open, said fitness was the key to his peak form over the past two weeks.
“I have to thank [trainer] Boonchu [Ruangkit] and his wife for pushing me to go to the gym over the past three months. They told me to get fit, so I have been going three or four times a week,” said Kwanchai, whose mother is the sister of top Thai golfer Prayad Marksaeng.
He began the day with a four-shot lead and on the front nine made five birdies and one bogey to make the turn in four-under and virtually put both hands on the trophy.
■MIDEA CHINA CLASSIC
AFP, SHUNDE, CHINA
China’s Liang Wenchong shot a three-under 68 yesterday to go 11-under and one stroke ahead of Australian Andrew Martin (69) after the third round of the Midea China Classic.
Zhang Lianwei, the 2006 champion, stormed into contention at yesterday’s event, part of the OneAsia Tour, with a 63 to move to eight-under with Australian Craig Scott, who carded a 68 at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club.
Alex Wu Ashun, China’s rising star, and New Zealander Michael Long each shot 68 to finish six-under with Stephen Leaney, the 2003 US Open runner-up, who carded a 71.
Liang birdied holes one, nine and 18 in a second straight bogey-free round and put himself in the driving seat.
Martin, the 2004 Australian Amateur champion, birdied holes one, four and eight, but suffered a double-bogey on 10 after putting his tee-shot in the water. The 25-year-old rebounded with birdies on 12 and 13, before dropping a shot on the par-three 15th.
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