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Pattaya - South Africa's Justin Harding has cruised to a six-shot victory at the Royal Cup on Sunday to become the first player since 2011 to win back-to-back titles on the Asian Tour.
The in-form Harding fired a three-under-par 67 in the final round of the $500 000 Asian Tour event.
According to the Asian Tour website, with a winning total of 14-under-par 266, Harding became the first player to win twice in his first two starts in Asia.
Harding, 32, who won the Indonesia Open two weeks ago, took home the winner's purse of $90 000 while earning his fourth title in a span of two months at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.
"It's been a good little run, I can't really put into words right now. Two weeks ago it was a surprise, but obviously been playing nicely, just tried to get three good rounds starting the week and put myself in position and then get the job done. I played pretty solidly yesterday, it was a strange round of golf. I made a couple more putts today which helped," said Harding.
"I'm enjoying this run right now. The courses out here in Asia allow me to play strategically and I'm benefitting so I don't find that I am trying too hard and just letting it come to me."
After his win in Indonesia, Harding flew back to play in Kenya in a Sunshine Tour event and finished in tied-18th place, before flying back to Asia to compete at the Royal Cup.
Meanwhile, defending champion Shiv Kapur of India battled to a 71 to share second place with Australia's Jake McLeod (67), Kurt Kitayama (67) of the United States and Chapchai Nirat, who finished as the highest ranked local player following a 68.
The Royal Cup is held in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, who celebrated his 66th birthday on Saturday.
With this win, Harding moves to 13th place on the Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity Standings.
Scores after Round 4 of the Royal Cup 2018 being played at the par 70, 6 716 Yards Phoenix Gold GCC course (am - denotes amateur):
266 - Justin HARDING (RSA) 64-64-71-67
272 - Jake MCLEOD (AUS) 70-64-71-67, Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 68-70-67-67, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 68-69-67-68, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 66-68-67-71
274 - Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 71-69-68-66, Atiruj WINAICHAROENCHAI (THA) 70-68-70-66, Dale BRANDT-RICHARDS (AUS) 70-70-66-68, Naoto NAKANISHI (JPN) 64-69-70-71
275 - Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 71-68-72-64, John CATLIN (USA) 67-72-67-69, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 71-65-69-70, Jarin TODD (USA) 66-67-69-73
276 - Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 72-70-67-67, Viraj MADAPPA (IND) 70-69-69-68, Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 72-69-66-69, Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 67-69-69-71, Travis SMYTH (AUS) 68-68-69-71, Josh YOUNGER (AUS) 65-69-70-72, LIU Yanwei (CHN) 68-66-70-72, Mark BROWN (NZL) 67-68-68-73
