South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel romped to a commanding 11 shot victory at the Thailand Golf Championship on Sunday to end a 20-month title drought since winning the 2011 Masters Tournament.
The 28 year old completed an imperious wire-to-wire victory at Amata Spring Country Club with a final round of seven under par 65, which made up for last year’s runner-up result where he ended seven shots behind inaugural champion Lee Westwood.
Schwartzel’s winning total of 25 under par saw him pick up his ninth career victory and first on the Asian Tour.
Thai youngster Thitiphun Chuayprakong shot a closing 70 finish tied second with reigning Masters Tournament Champion Bubba Watson, who closed with a superb 65 for a 14 under par total.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia came in fourth after a 70, followed by Korea’s Park Hyun-bin, whose fifth place performance following a 68 earned him his Asian Tour card for 2013.
“It’s been a great week,” said Schwartzel. “We had such a good time last year and obviously I came in second.
“I do know how the guys feel like as I had the same feeling last year when I lost to Lee by quite a margin. I played some solid golf. I’m very happy.”
