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Scott Hend atones for near-miss in 2015 to win Thailand Classic

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Highlights from round four of the True Thailand Classic in Hua Hin

Scott Hend overcame a superb last-round charge from Piya Swangarunporn to clinch a tense one-shot victory at the True Thailand Classic.

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True Thailand Classic

Hend retained his composure down the stretch to atone for his disappointing final round at Black Mountain last year, when he again led after 54 holes only to close with a 72 and lose out by one shot to Andrew Dodt.

The Australian was more aggressive this season, although it was clear he needed a round in the 60s after his overnight two-shot lead disappeared within two holes when Thomas Pieters got off to a blistering start in the penultimate group.

Scott Hend during the final round of the Thailand Classic at Black Mountain
Image: Scott Hend closed with a solid 68 to clinch a one-shot win

The Belgian had stormed into contention with a pair of flawless 66s, and he continued his charge with a birdie at the first before his bunker escape at the long second found the bottom of the cup for a spectacular eagle.

But Pieters finally dropped a shot at the third, although he got it straight back at the fourth as Hend made a confident start with birdies at the second and fourth to edge back into the lead.

Thomas Pieters led briefly after he holed his bunker escape for eagle at the second
Image: Thomas Pieters led briefly after he holed his bunker escape for eagle at the second

Hend was content to grind out the pars up to the turn, while another shot went for Pieters at the eighth and Peter Uihlein, playing in the final pair with Hend, stuttered to the turn in 36 to slip four shots off the pace.

Meanwhile, Swangarunporn was making remarkable strides up the leaderboard, making four birdies in six holes on the outward half before he pitched in for an eagle-two at the 10th.

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The world No 798 added back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14, and a closing four at the par-five last hole capped a new course-record of 63 and set a testing target in the clubhouse at 17 under par.

Piya Swangarunporn scorched to a course-record 63 to put the pressure on Hend
Image: Piya Swangarunporn scorched to a course-record 63 to put the pressure on Hend

Hend got to that mark when he matched Pieters' birdie at the 10th, but the Australian blotted his card at the 12th just as Pieters got back to within a shot of the Australian with a birdie at the 13th.

But Hend, unable to take advantage of the par-five, dug deep to birdie the 14th before he followed two pars with his fourth birdie of the week at the driveable 17th to reclaim a narrow advantage.

Hend gets the champagne shower after securing his second European Tour title
Image: Hend gets the champagne shower after securing his second European Tour title

The 43-year-old held his nerve to hit the green in two and give himself the luxury of three putts for the win, and he used them all as he clinched his second European Tour title and his first since the 2014 Hong Kong Open.

Swangarunporn, who had begun the day six shots off the lead, settled for outright second and the best performance of his career, while Pieters looked a jaded figure as he parred the last five holes to finish third on 15 under.

Uihlein birdied the final two holes to salvage a 70 and snatch outright fourth ahead of Pelle Edberg, who was two over for the round after six holes before recovering to post a 70 and earn a creditable top-five finish in his 200th European Tour appearance.

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