Mandiri Indonesia Open: Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong clinches title despite mid-round wobble – ‘my caddie lost my towel and I just freaked out’
- Nitithorn shows signs he is back in the form that brought breakthrough tournament wins last year
- After giving hope to the chasing pack, he recovers to beat Australian Scott Hend, Steve Lewton from England and Taiwan’s Lee Chieh-po by two strokes
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong won the Mandiri Indonesia Open on Sunday after a gripping finish at Pondok Indah Golf Course, confirming he had recaptured the kind of form that established him as one of the region’s most exciting young golfers last year.
Having started the day with a comfortable five-shot margin, he was pushed all the way to the finish line, closing with an even-par 72, for an 18-under-par total, and a two-stroke triumph over Australian Scott Hend, Steve Lewton from England and Taiwan’s Lee Chieh-po, who all carded 68s.
Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung finished 62nd on two over after a final-round 75, while his compatriot Taichi Kho had just missed the cut on Friday.
Hend, chasing his 11th win on the Asian Tour and first in four years, came closest to catching Nitithorn but, playing in the group ahead, hit his tee shot on the par-five 18th out of bounds and made a costly double bogey.
Nitithorn had appeared to be in complete control at the turn after two birdies and no dropped shots on the outward half to open a substantial lead on 20 under, but dropped shots on 12 and 13 to give hope to his three nearest challengers.