ANIRBAN LAHIRI CLINCHED VENETIAN MACAU OPEN

- October 26, 2014

Indian star Anirban Lahiri claimed a sensational one-stroke victory at the US$900,000 Venetian Macau Open after frontrunner Scott Hend of Australia agonisingly bogeyed the last hole on Sunday.

Lahiri started the final round two shots behind overnight leader Hend and trailed by four at one stage at the Macau Golf and Country Club before rallying on the home stretch to pip Hend and Thailand's Prom Meesawat.

The 27-year-old Indian signed for a final round of five-under-par 66, which included six birdies, and a winning aggregate of 17-under-par 267. The winner's cheque of US$162,000 raised his season's tally to US$504,689 as he consolidated his second place on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit and narrowed the gap on leader David Lipsky of the United States.

Hend, the defending champion who arrived in Macau in top form after winning the Hong Kong Open last week, lipped out a par putt from four feet on the 72nd hole as the roles reversed from last year's edition where Lahiri was the runner-up. Hend settled for a 69 while Prom charged up the leaderboard with a 66.

Hend took charge early on and doubled his overnight lead to four shots after nailing an eagle on two and a birdie on seven. However, a tenacious Lahiri fought back with birdies on eight and nine to make the turn only two back. The pivotal moment came on 14 when Lahiri hit a superb seven iron into the par three hole for an easy birdie while Hend bogeyed.

Lahiri, who had opened his campaign with a stunning 61 on Thursday, then led for the first time in the final round with a birdie on 15 but Hend leveled with a birdie at the next hole until his slip-up at the last.

Venetian Macau Open (Final Day)

1. Anirban LAHIRI -17

T2. Scott HEND -16

T2. Prom MEESAWAT -16

4. Adam GROOM -14

T5. Berry HENSON -12

T5. Unho PARK -12

7. Thaworn WIRATCHANT -11

8. Shiv KAPUR -10

9. Kieran PRATT -9

T10. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT -8

T10. Thongchai JAIDEE -8