Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant secured a record-equalling 13th Asian Tour title, and his first win in nearly two years, with a three-shot victory at the Queen’s Cup in Koh Samui on Sunday.

The 45-year-old star had a glorious eagle at the last hole of the Santiburi Samui Country Club for a three-under-par 68 to hold of challenges from Bangladesh’s Siddikur and reigning Asian number one Juvic Pagunsan.

Thaworn matched countryman Thongchai Jaidee’s number of triumphs on the circuit with a winning total of seven-under-par 277, earning himself $47,550 in the process, but he had to come from behind after bogeying the first.

“There was pressure from the first tee as I didn’t hit a good tee shot and made bogey, said Thaworn in comments released by the organisers.

“I’m very happy as I have worked hard in the past few weeks. My experience helps with the mental game. It helps me calm down and not get nervous. I can control that.”

Siddikur, chasing a second Asian Tour title, missed a costly par putt from two feet at the 15th hole while he was one ahead of Thaworn.

The Thai hero took full advantage, holing a five-foot birdie on 16 before a 12-foot eagle conversion at the 18th hole.

“The turning point was the 15th hole when Siddikur missed his putt,” said Thaworn.

“On 18, I was teeing off first and I couldn’t afford to make any mistake. I hit a good drive and I was quite confident. I could then smile after that,” he added.

Pagunsan closed with a solid 68 to finish tied second in what was the 11th leg of this season’s Asian Tour.

Final scores at the Queen’s Cup Bangkok Airways (par 71):

277 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-67-72-68

280 – Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 75-65-72-68, Siddikur (BAN) 70-68-71-71

281 – Himmat Rai (IND) 70-72-72-67, Guido Van Der Valk (NED) 70-72-69-70

282 – Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 69-75-69-69, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 71-68-72-71, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 72-71-66-73

284 – Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 67-74-73-70

285 – Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 76-70-75-64, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-70-72-76

286 – Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 71-73-71-71, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-72-74-72, Baek Seuk-Hyun (KOR) 68-73-70-75, Jonathan Moore (USA) 72-72-67-75

287 – Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 73-69-71-74

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