Chawalit wins Orient Masters

XIAMEN, China (Agencies): Thailand's rising star Chawalit Plaphol made his maiden victory in the Omega Tour's US$200,000 Orient Masters as he birdied three of the last four holes to overcome his compatriot Boonchu Ruangkit, a four-time winner on the Tour.

Chawalit fired a three-under-par 69 for a round aggregate of 10-under-par 278 to win the competitions by five strokes from Boonchu, who closed with a one-under-par 71.

The 24-year-old Chawalit buried Boonchu with an 18 foot birdie at the 15th.

"When I holed-out on 15, I felt the pressure was off me for the first time," said Chawalit, who turned professional only in 1996.