Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen won in dramatic fashion on the second playoff hole to win the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today.

Having forced himself into a playoff despite starting the day two shots behind the leaders, he chipped in to secure victory over India’s Khalin Joshi after the match was tied after three rounds.

The playoff ended up between just two players after regulation play, although in a tense finish to the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event, it could easily have been four.

The final group of Australia’s Deyen Lawson, Joshi and Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha were neck and neck after 14 holes, with Lawson having inserted himself into the battle after making up two shots on the overnight leaders.

While they were trading scores in the leading group, Sangchai was quietly gaining ground, firing in two closing birdies to top a bogey-free back nine score of 31 and join the group at 12 under as clubhouse leader.

Deyen Lawson of Australia pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 6, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

And then disaster struck for Lawson and Khanthacha on the par five 17th. Where others had been confidently knocking in birdies and the occasional eagle, they could only manage a bogey and double bogey respectively, ending their chances and opening the door for Joshi who managed to par the hole.

Although tied for the lead and with one hole to go, Joshi (70) could only manage par on the last and triggered a playoff with the clubhouse leader with a total of 204. Despite halving the first playoff hole, he was unable to match Sangchai’s hole out from the left edge.

“I’m very happy,” said Songchai (68) after his victory. “This is my first win overseas. I want to make top ten in the ADT this season so I can get into the Asian Tour. “

Khalin Joshi of India pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 6, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

His playing partner Yuvraj Singh Sandhu of India also posted a pair of closing birdies, scoring a three-under-par 69 to share third spot with Lawson (69) and a total score of 205.

Khanthacha (72) finished in solo fifth spot with a total of 206, followed by India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67), Ahmad Baig (68) of Pakistan and Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy in sixth with 207 strokes.

Nopparat Panichphol (70) of Thailand finished in ninth with 208 strokes, followed by compatriot Denwit Boriboonsub (68) in 10th on 209.

In 11th spot on 211 strokes were Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebsai (70) and Jakraphon Premsirigorn (70), Justin Quiban of the Philippines and Japan’s Keisuke Takahashi who shot the low round of the day with an eagle on the 17th and a total of 66.