Rashid Khan wins Chiangmai Classic

Report by Anand Datla

November 16, 2014: It was a sensational afternoon for Indian Golf at the Alpine Golf Resort in Thailand. Rashid Khan won the Chiangmai Golf Classic by just one shot over Jyoti Randhawa and Thanyakon Khrongopha in a tense ending to the prestigious Asian Tour event. The result marks a brilliant outcome for an ever improving Khan. It was the second Asian Tour victory for the Indian, who also won the SAIL SBI Open during the Indian summer this season. Khan finished his tournament at 17-under 271 to take the title and pocket US$ 135,000 for his week in Bangkok.

Khan shot birdies at the second and ninth holes to set out on his quest for the trophy. He was chastened by the six he needed at the par-5 7th hole, but Khan remained largely unruffled as he made the turn in 35 shots. In a stretch that included four birdies in six holes, starting at the 9th, the golfer from New Delhi tightened his grip over the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Jyoti Randhawa was in hot pursuit along with overnight leader Khrongpha. The Chandigarh golfer shot three birdies on the front nine, as he improved to 15-under overall. With the trophy in sight, Randhawa made a nervous bogey five at the eleventh before recovering to post two more birdies to settle behind Khan.

Thanyakon was in contention ever since he shot a 65 in the second round. But a staid 71 in the final round meant that the Thai golfer settled for a tie in second with Randhawa. The 24 year old fell short of a maiden Asian Tour title by just one shot after making four birdies and three bogeys in the final round.

Asian Tour Order of Merit winner last year Kiradech Aphibarnrat was also in the hunt after a 66 in the third round. But he needed another special effort on Sunday – but the Thai golfer could do no better than 69 as he settled in fourth ahead of Mithun Perera.

The Sri Lankan has been chasing the honour of becoming the first from his country to win on the Asian Tour. Perera closed at 13-under 275 for a tied fifth place.