Thai rallies to top Taiwan Open

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat closed out with a five-under-par 67 Sunday to win the TPGA Open crown by two shots over veteran Sung Mao Chang at CCK Golf Club in Taichung, Taiwan.

The 37-year-old Artjunawat, a former Putra Cup individual champion who has struggled as a pro, made the most out of Sung’s front nine collapse to come roaring back from six shots down at the start of the day and give his career a major boost.

Artjunawat tallied 274, while Sung returned a 75 for 276.

“I didn’t expect to win. But I worked my way back and hit birdies at the back,” said Artjanawat, whose come-from-behind win worth $17,500 ended a five-year title spell in various regional circuits, including the Philippine-based PGTA.

“It’s a big confidence boost. Now I feel I can fight on the top level against the best in the region,” added Artjanawat, who placed 22nd in last year’s PGT Asia Order of Merit ranking.
Jay Bayron, meanwhile, finished with a flourish, birdying two of the last three holes to card a 70 and tie for 27th, 10 shots behind the champion.

“It was a good experience. The greens here were very unpredictable but I knew I could’ve finished better,” said Bayron.