Scott Hend wins Thai Classic

Australia’s Scott Hend held off a brilliant challenge from Thailand’s Piya Swangarunporn to win the True Thailand Classic and make amends for last year’s near-miss.

Hend carded a closing 68 at Black Mountain Golf Club to finish 18 under par, one shot ahead of world number 798 Swangarunporn, who had surged through the field with a course-record 63.

"Get me a towel!"

How about a trophy instead? Congratulations Scott Hend, winner of the 2016 #ThailandClassic. https://t.co/Wym1yFcRtP

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 13, 2016

Swangarunporn began the day six shots off the lead but wiped out that deficit with six birdies and an eagle in the first 14 holes, before another birdie on the 18th set an imposing clubhouse target.

Hend’s two-shot overnight lead had been wiped out quickly after Belgium’s Thomas Pieters birdied the first and holed out from a bunker for an eagle on the second, but Hend hit birdies on the second and fourth.

The 43-year-old, who also led after 54 holes in 2015 before finishing second, birdied the 10th before a bogey on the 12th dropped him back into a share of the lead with Swangarunporn.

A birdie on the 14th took Hend back into a tie for the lead and, after hitting a birdie on the 17th, he could afford to three-putt the 18th for par and secure a second European Tour title.