Liang Rules with Thailand Open Victory

The 32-year-old claimed his third OneAsia title by one shot after holding off a spirited challenge from young Thai star Namchok Tantipokhakul and veteran Michael Wright from Australia.

Liang, who started the day with a one shot lead, closed with a three-under-par 69 for a tournament total of 18-under-par 270

Namchok, aged 23, was roared on by the spectators and shot 69 while Wright fired 68.

In an incredibly close finish which saw the lead being tied on several occasions Liang made a crucial birdie on the par-four 16th after holing a 30 foot putt.

“I am very excited and I really enjoyed this tournament. It was close all the way as there were some very good players trying to win,” said Liang.

Two weeks ago Liang finished joint eighth in the US PGA Championship so he arrived as the pre-tournament favorite.

“I was very tired when I arrived as my schedule has been hectic. So I wasn’t very sure how this week would go. It gives me a lot of confidence to know I can play at this level after such a busy stretch,” added the Chinese golfer, who won US$180,000 (5.7 million baht).

Liang played steady golf but birdies were hard to come by as he only made three.

The silverware will sit in his cabinet along with his two other OneAsia trophies the 2009 Midea China Classic and this year’s season-opening Luxehills Chengdu Open.

The victory has also moved him to the top of the OneAsia Order of Merit with earnings of US$439,200 (14 million baht) from the four events he has played in.

Namchok, highly rated by all his peers, was bidding to become only the second Thai player to win his national Open.

He appeared to be out of the running his with nine straight pars on the outward half but raised the hopes of the home fans by coming home in three under.

“Today I was very calm and did not feel under any pressure. The turning point was the 15th and 16th. I did not get birdies there and Liang holed his long birdie putt at the 16th,” said Namchok.

Namchok won the Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit title last year following two victories. “I am very proud of my achievement in my first Thailand Open. The spectators were great – they were willing me to win. This is my best performance in an international tournament and I want to go on and represent Thailand in overseas events,” added Namchok, who just missed a 45 foot birdie putt on the last to force a play-off.

An eagle by Wright on the par-five 14th saw him come close to recording an upset victory.

Mr. Wright said, “This has been one of my best weeks ever. Actually I did not hit it that good – my performance was all about positive self talk. I am usually the first to beat the hell out of myself mentally if things go wrong but this week I made sure I did not do that. I have been working hard and this is the reward. I am wrapped. It would have been nice to win but I am very happy at my second place.”

The week's event has been showcased on OneAsia's television platform with live coverage for four hours a day across all four tournament days, and broadcast to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.

This year’s Thailand Open was co-sponsored by Singha Corporation, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Emirates, and CAT Telecom Public Company Limited. The next event on OneAsia is the Korea Open at Woo Jeoung Hills Golf Club from October 7 to 10.