SHAH ALAM: Thai golfer Tanapat Pichaikool continued his tradition of excelling on his birthday, clinching another title in spectacular fashion.
Celebrating his 25th birthday, Tanapat emerged victorious at the season-ending Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club on Saturday.
He secured the win with an impressive 17-under 271 total, edging fellow Thai compatriot Sarut Vongchaisit by a single shot.
Despite starting with a bogey on the first hole, Tanapat mounted a remarkable comeback from a three-shot deficit.
He claimed birdies on holes eight, nine, and 12 to overtake Sarut, who had initially surged ahead with birdies on the opening two holes.
Sarut's challenge faltered with bogeys on holes six, 11, and 13.
Though he recovered with birdies on seven and 17, it wasn't enough to prevent Tanapat from claiming the title.
"It's a great birthday gift for me," said Tanapat, who remarkably won the Thailand Tour's Singha Masters just three days after his birthday last year.
"It seems like luck is on my side. Hopefully, the trend will continue in many years to come!"
England's Ben Jones secured third place with a final-round 68, finishing with 274.
Among the local contingent, Edven Ying emerged as the top performer, sharing eighth place after carding a 68 for a 277 total.
"I was able to play exactly how I wanted to, with full confidence this week," said Ying.
"I'm satisfied with my overall performance this season and hope to build on this momentum next year."
National number one Gavin Green finished strong with a final-round 66, securing joint 13th place with a 279 total.
The RM400,000 Toyota Tour Championship, which marked the conclusion of the 2024 season, featured an international field as it was jointly sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour.
Leading final round scores:
271: Tanapat Pichaikool (Tha) 67-67-67-70;
272: Sarut Vongchaisit (Tha) 70-65-66-71;
274: Ben Jones (Eng) 66-70-70-68;
276: Tawit Polthai (Tha) 70-68-68-70, Matt Killen (Eng) 71-67-68-70, Ayoub Lguirati (Mor) 69-71-66-70, Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (Tha) 73-66-66-71;
277: Aman Raj (Ind) 71-71-67-68, Edven Ying (Mas) 68-71-70-68, Nirun Sae Eung (Tha) 69-66-73-69, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (Tha) 68-68-70-71.