Singapore's Mardan Mamat (AFP)
Mardan Mamat showed impressive resolve to win the 60,000-dollar Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia on Saturday at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
Mardan Mamat showed impressive resolve to win the 60,000-dollar Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia on Saturday at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
The Singaporean, battling the effects of fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and not being allowed to drink a drop of water, beat Pariya Junhasavasdikul from Thailand on the first extra hole of a sudden-death play-off for one of the most remarkable victories seen in the region.
"This is a month of blessings and this victory is truly a blessing," said an emotional and exhausted Mamat.
The 42-year-old nailed a pressure packed downhill birdie putt from 10 feet on the par-five 18th to win the Mercedes-Benz Tour event. Pariya missed his birdie putt from 18 feet.
The pair had finished tied on 13-under-par 275 with Mamat carding a 69 and Pariya a 72.
Brilliant young Thai player Thanyakon Khrongpha closed with a 67 but bogeyed the last to miss the play-off by one.
"This was really tough both mentally and physically. You feel like you are doing two things are the same time when fasting and playing golf. It is a very special victory," added Mamat, who dropped to his knees in prayer after holing the winning putt.
It was Mamat's second victory on the tour as he won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore in 2009.
Pariya, who won the Singapore event in 2008, was unable to shake Mamat as he made nine straight pars on the homeward half.
"I played some really good golf so I am not disappointed. Mardan is a really good friend of mine so I am really happy for him. I can take a lot from this tournament," said Pariya.
The 26-year-old from Bangkok knew he was in for a fight when a he double-bogeyed the par three fourth while Mardan made a two.
Leading final round scores (par 72)
275 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 66 75 65 69, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 68 69 66 72 (Mamat won on first hole of sudden-death play-off)
276 - Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 70 69 70 67
278 - Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 72 70 69 67, Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71 67 72 68
280 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 73 70 67 70, Danny Chia (MAS) 72 68 67 73
282 - Mohd Sukree Othman (MAS) 71 73 69 69, Gene Bondoc (PHI) 71 71 69 71, Kim Young-jin (KOR) 72 70 67 73
283 - S Sivachandran (MAS) 71 69 72 71
284 - Mars Pucay (PHI) 75 66 75 68, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 74 69 69
© 2010 AFP/sid
