BANGKOK: Thailand’s Arnond Vongvanij showed he can match up against the region’s biggest names when he posted a flawless eight-under-par 64 to clinch his maiden Asian Tour title at the King’s Cup yesterday.
Although the 23-year-old is in his rookie season on the Asian Tour, Arnond displayed the form of a seasoned professional to pip veterans Mardan Mamat of Singapore and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant to the title with his winning total of 22-under-par 266 at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in northeast Thailand.
Despite missing out on his fourth win of the season, Thaworn took consolation that he now leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit with his tied-second place finish alongside Mardan after the duo closed with matching 268s.
Defending champion Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand had to settle for equal fourth alongside compatriot Thammanoon Sriroj after he signed off with a 67.
Arnond finally earned his career breakthrough as he held off the combined challenge of Thaworn and Mardan, who have a total of 18 Asian Tour victories between them.
Starting his final round three shots back of overnight leader Mardan, Arnond birdied holes two, seven, eight and nine to turn in 32.
He continued his birdie run on the 11th, 14th and 16th holes.
However with Mardan continuing to share the lead right up to the 16th hole, the pivotal moment came at the par-three 17th when Arnond drained a 10-feet birdie putt to take the outright lead.
“I just kept playing one shot at a time and it was really a close fight all the way as Mardan was also making birdies. It was tough not to feel any pressure and I tried to steady my nerves after every hole,” said Arnond.
Arnond survived a scare on the closing 18th when his approach shot missed the green and landed in the rough. The Thai, however managed to save par by chipping his shot to within five-feet of the pin for his maiden win.
Asia-Pacific beat China at Dongfeng Nissan Cup
In Shanghai, an Asia-Pacific select side rallied from behind with a string of powerful singles performances yesterday to beat Team China 14 1/2 — 9 1/2 in the Ryder Cup-style Dongfeng Nissan Cup at the CTS Tycoon Club in Shenzhen.
Trailing 7-5 after the fourball and foursome rounds, Asia-Pacific won nine and halved one of the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy they claimed at the inaugural event last year.
China’s sole victories on the final day came from veteran Zhang Lianwei, considered the father of professional golf in the country, and Liang Wenchong, who succeeded him as the mainland’s most successful player.
But it was left to the next generation to lead the way yesterday when China sent out 14-year-old amateur sensation Guan Tianlang in the first singles match against New Zealander Mark Brown.

“He certainly has a future,” Brown said after securing a 2 and 1 victory against Guan, who next year will be the youngest ever player to compete in the US Masters.
“He plays so well that it’s easy to forget just how young he is.”
Liang led by example and raced five-up against fellow OneAsia Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz before taking his foot off the gas and easing out a 3 and 1 winner.
Jin Daxing managed to squeeze a half for China against Choo Tze Huang in the fourth match, but from then it was a procession in blue — summed up by Jason Kang’s 6 and 5 victory against Yuan Hao.
The biggest win of the day, however, belonged to the veteran Zhang, who was shaking hands on the 12th against Soushi Tajima after winning 7 and 5.
Asia-Pacific playing vice-captain Scott Laycock wrapped up the proceedings against Zhang Xinjun with a birdie putt on the 18th for a one-up victory.