Chia takes chequered flag in Mercedes Benz Masters

BANGKOK: Danny Chia completed an impressive victory in the US$75,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand on Sunday, giving himself a belated birthday present.

The Malaysian, who turned 36 on Saturday, fired a final round even-par 72 for a two stroke victory over compatriot S. Sivachandran and Thailand’s Nakul Vichitryuthasastr at The Vintage Club in Bangkok.

Sivachandran shot a 66 while Nakul came in with a 69.

The Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand is the season-ending Tour Championship and victory earned Chia a cheque for US$12,227.

Chia won the inaugural event on the Tour, The International Championship in Jakarta, when it was launched last year and was delighted to have another trophy to his cabinet.

“This feels extra special to win the first event last year and the Tour championship this season,” said Chia.

The victory moved Chia into second place on the Final Order of Merit with total earnings of US$31,722.

Filipino Angelo Que, competing in the World Cup in China this week, finished the year in first place with US$32,209.

Chia bogeyed the last three holes to make the finish a little more dramatic but his second victory on the circuit was always on the cards.

“I haven’t won in a while and I am not much of a front runner so maybe that’s why I didn’t finish very smoothly,” said Chia, who lead by three after the first round and by four after days two and three.