Thai duo Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom managed to reclaim some ground on overnight leader Kevin Akbar of Indonesia in the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, setting the stage for a shoot-out in the final round at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.

The trio lead by one shot from Indonesia’s George Gandranata (70) and Benita Kasiadi (68), together with Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (69), Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia and Japan’s Naoki Sekito (69) on six under.

Akbar (70), who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura at Gunung Geulis Country Club In August, was pleased with his round but struggled to find the hole in this US$75,000 Asian Development Tour event.

“I played pretty solid today,” he said after his round. “I made a few mistakes but small mistakes. I hit a lot of greens but my putting was a bit cold. Missed a couple of good chances but it’s OK.

Kevin Akbar of Indonesia pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 12, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“Tomorrow same thing, try to hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens and hopefully the putter will be hot. I’m not thinking about it too much, anything can happen in 18 holes. I just want to keep the right mindset through the round and hopefully play better,” he added.

Sudsom (68), who turned in a colourful scorecard after his round with eight birdies and four bogeys, was more circumspect but managed to take some positives from his round, even though he started poorly.

“I was struggling on my second hole (11th) when I three putted,” he explained. “I’ve been working on my mental game so I just tried to keep a good mindset and be more consistent in my game.

“The afternoon was quite windy yesterday but it was a lot calmer today. Tomorrow I’m just going to play my own game. A win would mean a lot to me for next year but if not, I’ll be fine, I just hope to keep playing good golf,” he added.

Supravee Phatam of Thailand pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 12, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

In ninth spot, England’s Joe Heraty (70) maintained his sight on the leaders. together with Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthatcha (69) and Chonjarern Baramithanaseth (70).

Italy’s Andrea Saracino (73) shares 12th place with Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (69), followed by the Thai trio of Sarut Vongchaisit (67), Pisitchai Thippong (69) and Thanpisit Omsin (72).

Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (66), winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August, had a woeful opening round after just recently arriving back from Europe, but he managed to claw his way out of the cut zone and resume his fight for the season’s honours with the low round of the day.

Currently second in the Order of Merit following his win in Vietnam, and with leader Yuvraj Singh Sandhu playing in the SJM Macau Open on the Asian Tour, Wilkin revealed he was trying not to think about the pressure from players coming up behind him.

“It does a little bit, to be honest. I had a lot of head noise yesterday afternoon. I shot four over and I had to knuckle down. I did some practice yesterday and I just tried to reset and make the cut at least. That was my goal and hopefully tomorrow I can shoot a real low one.

Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 12, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“I’m starting to feel a little better after coming back from Europe, I think I underestimated the travel and jet lag and probably let myself go a little bit mentally yesterday.

“Today I still scored well when I wasn’t really in the fairway, always just off to the sides. I feel you need to be in the fairway to attack some of these pins, so tomorrow that will be my strategy, try and keep it a little bit straighter so I can go at more flags.”

The final round of the Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE starts tomorrow at 6.27 am. A total of 54 players made the cut from a from a field of 120 in the Asian Development Tour’s ninth event of the 2023 season.

Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, already a winner on the Asian Development Tour this season, made a strong start to the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, posting a five under par 67 to post the early lead at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.

He shares the leading spot with Italy’s Andrea Saracino, who is playing in Asia for the first time this season, and showed signs of steady progress in the region by matching Akbar to share the overnight lead.

“It was a pretty solid round,” said Akbar after his round. “I had a lot of luck in the first nine, made some long birdie putts and then chipped in on eight so I was like four under through the first nine. My short irons were pretty good today and I made some putts.

Andrea Saracino of Italy pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 11, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Making back to back bogeys on his back nine slowed the momentum somewhat but Akbar was quick to recover. “For me the back nine is a little bit tougher so I just tried to keep the ball in play. There was some bad decision making because the wind was switching around, on the par three I missed long, but it was a good putt for bogey though,” he added.

“A few holes have a pretty narrow fairway, especially if you are playing in the afternoon when the wind is switching around. You just have to try to miss in the right place,” he explained.

Akbar, who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura in August, was playing in a competitive group, with Aaron Wilkin who won the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August and Sangchai Kaewcharoen who won last week at the OB Golf Invitational presentd by Sentul Highlands Golf Club. The three are in close contention in the season-long Order Of merit.

“It was OK, just another round of golf really.” he laughed. “We talk, we have fun, we’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow.”

Ben Robinson of England pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 11, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Saracino, a member of the Italian national team playing with two compatriots, revealed after his round that he’s looking to cement his place in Asia.

“I love it here,” he said. “The weather is always hot, in Italy sometimes it’s too cold for me but I love it here in Asia, I love the people, I love the food,” he explained.

“I’ve been playing in Europe but i’m hoping to make the Asian Tour and also the Asian Tour Q-School. I’ll be playing Malaysia and hope to be playing next year on the ADT or Asian Tour.”

England’s Ben Robinson, making his second start on the ADT, posted a solid score to demonstrate how he’s also finding his feet in Asia, his bogey-free round of 68 earning him a share of third place with Indonesia’s Geroge Gandranata.

In fifth place, on three under 69, sits a sizeable group including the Thai foursome of Thanpisit Omsin, Chonjarern Baramithanaseth, Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom. They are joined by Japan’s Naoki Sekito, who won the OB Golf Championship last month, Joe Heraty of England, Indonesia’s Robby Sugara and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden.

In 13th spot, on two under 70, are Samarth Dwivedi of India, Indonesia’s Benita Kasiadi and the Thai quartet of Peradol Panyathansedh, Sarun Sirithon, Arnond Vongvanij and Patatraphol Khanthacha, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July.

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.

Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha and Khalin Joshi of India turned the tables on the overnight leader Newport Laparojkit at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today, posting scores of 65 and 67 respectively to reach 10 under par.

Newport meanwhile was unable to keep the momentum going from his first round 61, dropping two shots in the afternoon to finish in a group at third on eight under par at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event.

He was joined in third spot by overnight climbers Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia, Sangchai Kaewcharoen (69) of Thailand and India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (66), winner of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August.

Yuvraj Singh Sandhu of India pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 5, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Pattaraphol, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July, was happy enough with his round, but struggled to capitalise on a scorching front nine, after making the turn in 30 with no dropped shots.

“I played pretty well today, and got off to a good start,” he said after his round. “My game was flowing and I made a few birdies on the front nine, then I hit a solid shot on the sixth hole to make the eagle, but after the first nine, the game was quite nasty.

“I hit a three putt on 11 (par five) and from then on, putting was a bit more difficult,” he explained, having posted just the single birdie on his way into the clubhouse.

Joshi, who won the Panasonic Open India in 2018, has been struggling for form of late but has been recently revitalised after taking part in the recent Asian Games.

Sangchai Kaewcharoen of Thailand pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 5, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“In general I’ve been focusing more on the putting and my mid irons which ive been struggling with in the last few months,” he explained. “Last week I was at the Asian Games and I had Shubhankar (Sharma)’s coach there to help me out, had a new pair of eyes to look at my swing. It was a great experience, different atmosphere, I’m glad I made it there.”

In seventh place, with a total of 138 for the two rounds, were Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol (67), Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (72).

Ahmad Baig (70) of Pakistan and Jack Murdoch (66) of Australia are tied for tenth while Justin Quiban (73) of the Philippines, Italy’s Michele Ortolani (71) and India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67) share 12th position.

In 15th spot, Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (69), Jakraphan Premsrigorn (68) and Puwit Anupansuebsai (72) are joined by Kevin Phelan (68) of Ireland and Malaysia’s Paul San (71).

After two rounds, the cut has been made at +3 which means 51 players will contest the final round in the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands. The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.

A sensational 10-under-par round from Thailand’s Newport Laparojkit saw him secure a commanding lead in the first round of the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands Golf Club in Bogor, Indonesia today, opening up a four shot advantage over the field.

“Honestly, the best I’ve ever played so far,” was his verdict after posting a score of 62, which started from hole 10 in the morning session.

“I didn’t really make any putts the first three holes, just burned the edges, and then I made two consecutive long putts, then a short one on the on the par three on 15 and then chipped in on 17. I just gave myself a lot of opportunities and made them.

The 26-year-old golfer, in his third year on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour, has been working on his game in order to move up the ranks and it certainly showed how much improvement he’s been able to make off the course.

Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 4, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“I’ve been working with my Dad a lot with putting and a lot of mental game, and that helped a lot for me to shoot 10 under,” he explained after his round at the US$70,000 ADT event.

As with the rest of the field, the location was a new one for the clubhouse leader as it’s the first time the ADT has been to Sentul Highlands, and Newport was certainly a fan of the debut venue.

“I really like the course, not that I shoot ten under and then say I like the course,” he laughed. “It’s in great condition, the greens are very nice and there’s a lot of good views here so I am enjoying it.

“The driving range is awesome and yesterday I was chipping for two hours because the chipping green was so nice,” he added.

Khalin Joshi of India pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 4, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Sweden’s Filip Lundell, who also started in the morning, was the closest challenger with a first round score of 66, followed by Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen and India’s Khalin Joshi who shared third place with Justin Quiban of the Philippines with a score of 67.

In sixth place, with a score of 68, are Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit and Akinori Tani of Japan.

Rounding out the top 16 of the field with a share of eighth place on 69 are the Thai trio of Puwit Anupansuebsai, Arnond Vongvanij and Pattaraphol Khanthacha, together with top Indonesian scorer Indra Hermawan, Australia’s Deyen Lawson, Andrea Saracino and Michele Ortolani of Italy, Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig and Derek Petersen of South Africa.

The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.

Japan’s Naoki Sekito endured a nervy finish to win by two shots in the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis today, maintaining his overnight lead and holding off a hard-charging Aaron Wilkin to secure victory with a final tournament score of 199.

“I can’t explain how happy I feel right now,” said Sekito after his round. “The last couple of holes I wasn’t that nervous but my putting wasn’t good today.

“I knew some guy in front of me had finished at nine under so I wanted to go with 11 under to the last hole because I knew that I was going to be so nervous for the last putt.”

Opening with a string of eight pars, Sekito (68) posted his first birdie on the ninth hole, just as Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu had drawn level and was threatening to edge in front.

Playing in the final group, both birdied the 10th but two holes later their fortunes diverged, with Sekito scoring birdie on the par five 12th.

Aaron Wilkin of Australia pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Wu could only make bogey, the first of five dropped shots he would face in the following four holes, which saw him drop to a share of fifth place in the US$75,000 Asian Development Tour event.

Sekito was also not without a closing stretch wobble on holes 14 and 15, making consecutive bogeys just as Australia’s Wilkin, winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam earlier this month, was posting the lowest score of the day with a flawless, seven-birdie 63.

“Until hole 14 I didn’t miss any greens today, then on 14 I was in the bunker of the left side, my par putt was about 10 feet but I didn’t make it, which was OK because it was a difficult putt.

Denwit Boriboonsub of Thailand pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“On 15, I hit a six iron, good shot, less than 15 feet. Actually an easy putt up hill but I hit it too hard, then five feet back I missed. After that I was worried because 16 is one of the difficult holes but I knew I could not change two bogeys so I tried to forget about it,” he explained.

“By the time I hit my tee shot on 16 I had forgotten already, that was the reason I could make birdie on 17,” he added.

Wilkin, who started the day four groups behind the leaders, would have been hoping for a strong performance to repeat his success in Vietnam, but a difficult second day put paid to his chances of outright victory.

He ended the day in a tie for second with Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (68) on 201 strokes over the three rounds on the Gunung Geulis West Course.

Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij of Thailand pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

In solo fourth spot was Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (64) who finished on 202, followed by compatriots Vanchai Luangnitikul (68) and Wu (70) and China’s Andy Zhang (70) one shot behind on 203.

In eighth spot with 204 strokes were Sarun Sirithon (68) of Thailand, Australia’s Deyen Lawson (69) and Minhyeok Yang (69) of Korea.

Justin Quiban (67) of the Philippines and Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol (67) rounded out the top 12 finishers with a final score of 205.

The next round of the 2023 season takes place from October 4-6 with the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentual Highlands Golf Club.

The US$ 70,000 event will be played over three rounds at Sentul Highlands and is the eighth event so far this year on the Asian Development Tour.

Tournament leader Naoki Sekita showed the signs of a renewed commitment to the Asian Development Tour today, building on an overnight lead with a three-under-par round of 67 to take top spot into Friday’s final round at the OB Golf Championship.

The young Japanese golfer, winner of the 2019 ADT Order of Merit, posted four birdies with just a single dropped shot to secure a two shot lead over the rest of the field in this US$70,000 ADT event.

China’s Andy Zhang (65) posted the low round of the day with six birdies and a single bogey to secure second spot with Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu (69), who shared the lead after the first day with Sekito at Gunung Geulis on the West Course.

“It was pretty windy in the afternoon and then there were some difficult pin placements,” said Sekito after his round. “I shot six under yesterday, but I’m happy with three under today,” he added.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy tomorrow. I’m leading by two but on this course it’s very easy to lose two shots so I just want to focus on every shot, try not to make any mistakes,” he said.

Ekpharit Wu of Thailand pictured in action during the second round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 28, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Winner on the Gunung Geulis East Course in 2019, Sekito has decided to forgo next season on the Japan Golf Tour in favour of playing on the ADT and the Asian Tour.

“This is my first time when I haven’t played Japan Tour Q-School but I’m hoping to play more in Asia this year. There are about the same number of tournaments but the prize money is higher in Asia,” he explained.

“I could have been playing on three tours next year if I went to Japan Tour Q-School, like I did in 20-21. Now I want to pick one tour to play, I played well in Vietnam so now I have the chance to get in the top ten so I made the decision to play here.”

Zhang, who is playing in Asia for the first time this year, is also looking to build his career playing with the ADT.

“It was a pretty challenging round today and yesterday with how how hard the wind was blowing,” said Zhang after his round, “but I just really tried to stay patient because I know how “funky” this course can get and how much slope is on the greens.

“It’s my first season playing ADT, my first season ever playing in Asia in general, and I’ve been loving it,” he explained.

“I’m really glad I had the opportunity this year to do this because it’s a consistent schedule to play with pretty high-level competition. I’m making a lot of progress and feel I’m just getting better as each event goes by.”

Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (69) leads a group in fourth place on five under par, together with Minhyeok Yang (69) of Korea and Australia’s Deyen Lawson (68).

Sarun Sirithon (69) of Thailand sits in solo seventh place, followed by Malaysia’s Ervin Chang (69) and the Thai duo of Nattawat Suvajanakorn (70) and Denwit Boriboonsub (68).

In 11th spot on two under par are Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij (70), Nopparat Panichphol (67) and Thanpisit Omsin (68), alongside Hanbo Lee (69) of South Africa, Justin Quiban (70) of the Philippines and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (71), winner of the BRG Open Championship in Vietnam last month.

The cut was made after two rounds at +4, leaving 59 players to battle it out for the honours in the final day of the tournament on Friday, with the first groups off the tee at 6.31am

Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu made a strong start at the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis Country Club today, posting a six-under-par round of 66 to secure the early clubhouse lead which he shares with Japan’s Naoki Sekito.

A solid driving game and an early eagle helped Wu around the West Course, along with the acquired knowledge of playing the course recently.

“My driver was very good today, easy to make birdies,” he said after his round. “I played here for the first time last month (at The Indonesia Pro-Am Presented by Combiphar & Nomura), so this time I knew a lot more about the course which made it easier to plan.”

“The course knowledge helped me think about what I had to do and helped me focus, so I didn’t worry so much about the penalty areas. I did what I had to do.”

Naoki Sekito of Japan pictured in action during the first round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 27,2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

With just 27 putts and one dropped shot today at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event, which is being played over 54 holes, Wu knows he is on the right track.

“I think this time the course is better, the grass has grown a bit and the greens are a little bit softer so its possible to be a bit more aggressive. The speed was good which made it easy to putt.

“I’ve been trying to focus on every part of my game,” he said, ” and trying to make the best of what I have. Tomorrow, I’m just going to try to do the same and do my best.”

Sekito joined Wu as the clubhouse leader shortly afterwards. “It was a good round today,” he explained after his round. “I holed some difficult putts, not long putts but some downhill with a lot of break. I played here last month and my putting was really bad so I tried to focus on that today.

“I changed my putter,” he added, going on to explain that his father had helped him overcome a poor run of form. “Last week I played a Japan Tour event and I also putted really bad, my dad was watching and he suggested I change. I didn’t want to but it really worked today.”

Amir Nazrin of Malaysia pictured in action during the first round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 27,2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Sekito, who won on the course on the East Course at the Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational in 2019, said his familiarity with the venue made it easier.

“I feel at home here, having won here before, it gives me a lot of confidence and I feel comfortable. The greens are a bit slower than last month but still difficult, and it’s windy. Playing aggressively here is not good. It’s a short golf course but you need to be very patient and calm down.

Sekito also had a secret source of local knowledge, as his caddy was a Japanese fan living in Indonesia. They met at the Indonesian Open last year and became friends, which led to a chance to caddy in Thailand at Q-School this year.

“He knows my golf well, so he can give me some good advice, plus he knows this course very well so he was able to help me a lot today,” he explained.

Behind the leaders, sitting two strokes off the lead, is a group incorporating the Malaysian duo of Amir Nazrin and Muhammad Danial Faidz, Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul, Minhyeok Yang of Korea, Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall and Sydney Chung of the USA.

Naraajie Ramadhanputra of Indonesia pictured in action during the first round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 27,2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

One shot further back is Indonesia’s rising star Naraajie Ramadhanputra, Australia’s Deyen Lawson and compatriot Aaron Wilkin who won in Vietnam at the BRG Open Golf Championship in Da Nang earlier this month. They are accompanied by Thailand’s Sarun Sirithon and Nattawat Suvajanakorn and Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno.

The three-day tournament continues tomorrow on the West Gourse of Gunung Geulis Country Club with a cut of the top 50 players and ties after the conclusion of play continuing to the final round.

Australia’s Aaron Wilkin shot a scintillating bogey-free round to win the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam today, posting the lowest score of the day to smash a seven shot deficit and seize victory.

Overnight leader Deyen Lawson was unable to capitalise on his advantage in the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event and posted a one-over-par 73 to finish in solo second, one shot behind Wilkin on 207.

Saptak Talwar (68) of India and Naoki Sekito (74) of Japan were three shots further back in third place on 210.

Deyen Lawson of Australia pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

Starting in the third from last group, Wilkin knew he was a long way back from the leaders but trusted his game and hoped the last few holes on the Nicklaus Course at Da Nang Golf Resort would play into his hands.

“I’m a little bit nervous at the moment,” he said after posting his score and waiting for the remaining golfers to complete their rounds.

“It was bit tricky, I haven’t seen the scores yet but there were a few tough pins and the wind was swirling there a little bit, so yeah I’ll take seven under.”

“I think I was seven back after yesterday. I knew I had to go low, but I didn’t think it was out of my reach. I was hoping it would be a tough finish which would maybe bring a few of them back.

Joe Heraty of England pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

“I played to my game plan. It doesn’t always go the way you map it out but today it did, so I’m pretty happy with that,” said Wilkin, adding that his putting was key to his low score.

“I’ve been struggling with my putting and I’ve been waiting for a day when they all go in. They didn’t all go in today but they pretty much did. I had some good par saves and then I holed the putt on the last which was probably a bit lucky, I was nervous and my hands were shaking,” he added.

First round leader, England’s Joe Heraty (74) was one who was caught out by the tricky final holes on the Nicklaus Course. Three dropped shots in the final five holes added to his woes and he finished in a group in fifth on five under with Malaysia’s Galven Green (72) and Tunyapat Sukkoed (69) of Thailand.

Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang 2023. Picture courtesy BRG Golf Resort Da Nang.

Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh posted a final round 68 to compensate for his two opening rounds on par. The talented youngster, who scored a bronze medal in the Men’s Indivdual event at this year’s SEA Games, finished in solo eighth place.

In ninth place, on three under, were Thailand’s Pisitchai Thippong (68), Sangchai Kaewcharoen (68) and Thanpisit Omsin (71), together with Paul San (67) of Malaysia, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan (75) and Naraajie Ramadhanputra (70) of Indonesia.