The big-hitting Australian dug deep and launched a spectacular comeback by overcoming a six-shot deficit on Sunday to win the Chiangmai Golf Classic.
Hend’s victory earned him US$135,000 (B4 million) and it propelled him to third place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with his season haul of US$207,915 (B6.2 million).
“This win is fantastic. I played great at Avantha Masters [in India] and didn’t finish the job,’’ he said.
“I missed the cut in Malaysia so to come back and shoot 20-under sort of helps you believe in yourself and that you still got the game.’’
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who finished equal-fifth at the Chiangmai Golf Classic, remains atop the rankings on US$615,535 (B18.4 million) while India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar is in second place on US$269,066 (B8.1 million)
South African newcomer Bryce Easton, playing in his first Asian Tour event, leaped into seventh place following his second-placed finish in Chiang Mai.
The Asian Tour will return to India for the third time in two months for the Panasonic Open India this week.
ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT
(Earnings in US$)
1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) $616,535.00
2 Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) $269,066.43
3 Scott Hend (AUS) $207,915.00
4 Liang Wen-chong (CHN) $175,909.00
5 Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) $145,303.50
6 Anirban Lahiri (IND) $83,849.50
7 Bryce Easton (RSA) $82,500.00
8 Joonas Granberg (FIN) $80,812.83
9 Chawalit Plaphol (THA) $70,971.00
10 Kim Gi-whan (KOR) $60,617.50
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