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Birdie-birdie finish gives Taiwan's Lee first Asian Tour win

golf27 October 2024 11:00| ยฉ AFP
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Lee Chieh-po @ Getty Images

Taiwan's Lee Chieh-po birdied the final two holes to pip Peter Uihlein and secure a first Asian Tour win at the International Series Thailand on Sunday.

America Uihlein had led since Friday's second round until Lee stunned him with a superb closing round of seven-under-par 63 to finish on 21-under 259.

Uihlein had a 67 to tie for second place a stroke behind along with Canadian Richard T. Lee, who carded a 62.

Taiwan's Lee birdied the par-five 17th to move to within one of Uihlein, who still looked to be heading for victory.

Lee drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the last, shortly before his American opponent found a greenside bunker and missed his par putt from a similar range.

"It's been a simply amazing week," said the victorious Lee, who finished runner-up twice previously.

"After last season I changed my swing a little bit, but I knew I was on the right path, so I just kept doing it, kept working, and now it's feeling better than last year."

The 29-year-old grew up playing golf with Kevin Yu, a winner on the PGA Tour this year, and said he was an inspiration.

Uihlein had led by three at the start of the day.

"I didn't putt well enough to win this," he said.

"So that's just kind of the point blank. I felt like I was pretty good for four days tee to green, and my approach play was really good, but I just putted terrible."

American John Catlin, the top-ranked player on the Asian Tour and The International Series, returned a 68 and tied for 12th.

Leading final scores Sunday at the International Series Thailand, at Thai Country Club (Par 70):

259 - Lee Chieh-po (TPE) 64-65-67-63

260 - Richard T. Lee (CAN) 64-67-67-62, Peter Uihlein (USA) 64-62-67-67

262 - MJ Maguire (USA) 67-65-69-61, Paul Peterson (USA) 64-69-66-63, Christian Banke (USA) 66-62-70-64

264 - Bjorn Hellgren (SWE) 67-68-65-64, Nick Voke (NZL) 67-66-67-64, Maverick Antcliff (AUS) 63-64-69-68, Charlie Lindh (SWE) 63-68-65-68, Rayhan Thomas (IND) 69-63-64-68

265 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 67-66-69-63, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 70-64-67-64, Danthai Boonma (THA) 68-68-63-66, Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 67-67-65-66, Jed Morgan (AUS) 63-68-67-67, John Catlin (USA) 70-66-61-68, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-65-65-68

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