Veteran Singapore golfer Mardan Mamat capped a dominant performance over the four days to win the inaugural Bangladesh Open by two strokes in Dhaka on Saturday.
The 47-year-old, who said he was inspired by an encouraging message from his wife Naz, shot a two-under-par 69 to finish with a combined score of 14-under 270 at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
It was Mamat’s fifth Asian Tour title, which earned him the winner’s purse of $54,000 after he led in all four rounds of the $300,000 event in the Bangladeshi capital.
Khalin Joshi of India shot a 68 in the final round to end with 272 and tie for second place with Lee Soo-Min of South Korea, who posted a 67 on the last day.
Mamat, keeping himself composed in the stifling heat, bogeyed the fourth hole to have his overnight lead of three shots reduced by one, but then stayed on course to claim what he said was a “special win”.
“I’m the first winner of the Bangladesh Open so this is a special win,” he said. “I talked to my wife last night and she sent me a message saying ‘You are the champion, you are the winner and you are the man’.
“That really inspired me today.
“I have improved a lot on my mental game. I talk a lot to myself to motivate myself to play well. In fact, my wife and I have been talking a lot about my game and confidence.
“She always inspires me and feeds me positive thoughts. I’m very pleased with that.”
Leading scores after the final round at the par-71 Kurmitola Golf Course:
270 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 66-67-68-69
272 – Khalin Joshi (IND) 71-68-65-68, Lee Soo-Min (KOR) 70-70-65-67
273 – Carlos Pigem (ESP) 67-67-73-66
275 – Janne Kaske (FIN) 68-67-71-69
277 – Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 74-67-69-67
278 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-72-70-66, Berry Henson (USA) 71-67-71-69, Amardip Malik (IND) 67-74-68-69, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 69-66-72-71