Scott Hend extended his lead in final round of the True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain in Hua Hin.
The Australian’s third round 66 had put him one ahead of veterans Miguel Angel Jiménez and Thongchai Jaidee.
And while both his playing partners initially caught Hend with a birdie at the first, the 41 year old responded with gains at the second and fourth to reach 17 under par.
Jiménez holed from eight feet at the opening hole and Jaidee followed him in from half that distance after a fine approach.
The Spaniard, looking to extend his own record as The European Tour’s oldest winner, also made a gain at the next but this time he was matched by Hend.
And when 51 year old Jiménez failed to get up-and-down from just off the third green, Hend was ahead once more.
The Hong Kong Open winner then immediately doubled his advantage courtesy of a good approach to six feet at the next to lead Jiménez and tournament ambassador Jaidee by two.
Another Australian, Andrew Dodt, and Jaidee’s compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat shared fourth on 14 under.
Hend leaked his drive right into trees at the sixth, although he was able to recover for a par five. However, a three-putt from 12 feet at the next cost him a first shot of the day, and left him just one ahead of Jaidee.
Aphibarnrat, Dodt, Jiménez and American Jason Knutzon were all a shot further back in third as a tense finish loomed.
