King’s Cup: Anirban @3, Prayad wins

January 19, 2014: India’s Anirban Lahiri, for sure, has strenthened his claim to represent Asia at forthcoming Eurasia Cup with his nine under 68 at the season’s last event, King’s Cup in Huahin. Meanwhile,  Prayad Marksaeng has claimed Victory at King’s Cup with -12 at his home course. Rikard Karlberg finished second with 11 under.

The 47-year-old Thai Prayad Marksaenga played extemely well in the final round with a eagle on 13th and six birdies added to his rise from tied fifth place on Saturday to emerge winner.  This is his 8th title on the Asian Tour. His most recent win was at the Queen’s Cup 2013, played  in his home country.

” I feel proud because both the King’s and Queen’s trophies are in Thailand. It makes me especially happy and proud because I’m the first Thai to win two of these very important trophies,” said Prayad after his win.

Swede Rikard Karlberg’s seven birdies could not help him to match upto determined Thai. He finished his final round just one shot behind the winner at -11.

“It is a great way to end the Asian Tour season. Obviously I wanted to win but I’m so happy I can be out there in contention and almost pulling it off. It was good fun. That’s the most important thing,” Karlberg said.

“It was a good solid round of golf for me. I had it going early on then I lost it through the middle of the round. I should have made a couple more birdies but I’m really happy with another solid week. Lots of positives that I can take back from this week, Anirban said.

I needed something like that (eagle on 17) because I couldn’t get the round going. It has been a great season for me to finish on a high. Hopefully I go out and work more on my fitness and game and come back stronger for the new season.

I still had to play good coming into this week. I played consistently right through. I really look forward to it. I don’t know what I will bring to the team, humour maybe? (jokes) But I’m going to give it my best,” he added.

Lahiri shares third place with Chapchai Nirat and Prom Meesawat of Thailand. With a eagle on 17th hole and three birdies and just one bogey, Lahiri finished his final score of 279, three shots behind the winner.

Recently engaged to his long time girlfriend Ipsa Jamwal, the thrice Asian Tour winner confirmed that he is in positive frame of mind to bring out best of himself before the tournament at Black Mountain Golf Club took off.

His 3rd place finish means that his dream to be a part of inaugural Eurasia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM  to be played in Malaysia this March, will become a reality.

It is the Black Mountain Golf Club, where Lahiri  secured his first Asian Tour top-five result at the Black Mountain Masters in 2009.

India’s Rahil Gangjee (71-71-71-72) with a total four round score of 285 finished 12th on the leader board. SSP Chowrasia (70-73-72-71) culminated his King’s cup tied 17th. While, Jyoti Randhawa (70-75-73-69) came out better on the final day to be tied 21st at the end of the tournament.