Planet Sport

Singapore's Lam Chih Bing fired a closing five-under-par 67 to pull away from the field and claim his maiden Asian Tour title at the Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok.

Lam entered the final round of the US$750,000 season-ending event in a five-way tie for top spot, but played flawless golf at the Thai Country Club to claim a two-stroke victory over local favourite Chapchai Nirat.

The 31-year-old edged ahead of the pack with birdies at the third and ninth before powering home with three birdies over his closing four holes to finish with a 14-under-par 274 total.

"Unbelievable. I have won a bunch of small ones before but this is just unbelievable," said Lam, who finished second at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open last week.

"It was such a jam-packed leaderboard and I'm just so glad I went out and finished the job.

"To win on the Asian Tour has been a dream of mine. I always thought I could win one and to do it is unbelievable.

"At the first tee, I knew I needed to shoot a solid round. I knew some guys would play well and I'm glad I'm the one who went out and shot the score," added the Singaporean, whose winnings of US$135,000 helped him finish 16th on the final Order of Merit.

Chapchai Nirat started poorly with a double bogey and three bogeys on his first six holes, but recovered with seven birdies on the remaining 12 for a 69 that put him alone in second on 12 under.

Terry Pilkadaris finished a further stroke back after a bogey-free 66 with Australian compatriots David Gleeson (71) and Andrew Dodt (65) tied for fourth spot on 10 under.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh wrapped up his season by finishing in a tie for 37th as he was officially crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion with total winnings of US$1.45million.