Rising Thai golfer Itthipat Buranatanyarat capped off a superlative week at the US$100,000 (S$141,000) Players Championship by closing with a six-under 66 yesterday to win his second Asian Development Tour title by three shots.

The 22-year-old compiled a career-best total of 20-under 268 at Raffles Country Club's Palm course to claim the winner's cheque of US$17,500 and six Official World Golf Ranking points.

The victory also earned him a spot at next week's US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course.

Compatriot Suradit Yongcharoenchai signed for a 67 to take second place, while overnight leader Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (71) slipped to third spot, together with Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna (67) on 272.

Quincy Quek and Choo Tze Huang emerged as the highest-placed Singaporeans in joint-11th place on 277, following rounds of 68 and 70 respectively.

Sanjay Nair