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August 16th 2009, Samui, Thailand: Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil triumphed in the Queen’s Cup with a stylish three-shot victory to claim his third Asian Tour title on Sunday.

Still only 20, the power-packed Chinnarat reinforced his credentials as the future king of Asian golf with a superb four-under-par 67 in the final round at the Santiburi Samui Country Club to end a glorious week on 16-under-par 268.

Three birdies over his closing five holes saw Chinnarat push Japan’s Yoshinobu Tsukada (71), Kim Dae-hyun of Korea (68) and compatriot Udorn Duangdecha (67) into a share of second place in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event, sponsored by the Sports Authority of Thailand and Bangkok Airways.

South Africa’s Keith Horne and Thammanoon Srirot of Thailand finished joint fifth on 272 with the promising Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand a further stroke back.

“I can’t believe that I have won three times before my 21st birthday but this week, I hit it really good,” said a delighted Chinnarat, who won US$47,550. “It feels fantastic to win the Queen’s Cup. At the turn (where he led by two), I knew I could win. I aimed for pars and then went for birdies over the closing few holes.”

Victory was especially sweet as the Queen’s Cup is revered in Thailand and his father-cum-mentor, Anand accompanied him to the holiday isle of Samui to offer encouragement and guidance this week.

“I asked my father to be with me as this was an important tournament for all Thais. He normally does not come to tournaments and he also gave me a putting tip which helped but I can’t tell you what it is as it’s our secret!” said Phadungsil, the Tour’s youngest ever winner when he won the Double A International Open on home soil in 2005.

Trailing by one from overnight leader Tsukada, he overcame a bogey on the third hole with three straight birdies from the fifth hole to turn in 34. He dropped another shot on 12 but produced some scintillating golf for birdies at the 14, 16 and 18 holes for his first victory since 2006.

The 39-year-old Tsukada, who was chasing his first professional victory, struggled all day on the greens and suffered a costly three-putt par at the last hole to fall into a share of second place.

“On the back nine, I had birdie chances on every hole but I just misread every green. I hit it short, hit it left and right. I was angry but I tried to stay calm and fight on. I knew I had to make eagle on the last hole and I was angry that my eagle putt (from 35 feet) didn’t even make it to the hole,” said Tsukada.

Kim, playing in his rookie season in Asia, momentarily tied Chinnarat for the lead when he birdied the 14th hole from eight feet but dropped out of contention straight away at the par three 15th hole when his tee shot sailed into the hazard.

“I knew I was tied for the lead but on 15, I hit a flier with my wedge tee shot and I dropped bogey there. After that, I couldn’t catch the leader. I was a little nervous on the back nine but I’m happy to finish tied second,” said Kim.