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‘I bow to the king’: Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolpraset stuns Anirban Lahiri in play-off to win Macao Open

Virtual unknown plays flawless final round of the US$1.1 million Asian Tour event and dedicates victory to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej

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Thai Pavit Tangkamolpraset with the winner's trophy. Photo: Asian Tour

Unheralded Thai Pavit Tangkamolpraset withstood a furious late finish from India’s Anirban Lahiri to win the US$1.1 million Venetian Macao Open in a play-off on Sunday.

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Paying homage to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on Thursday, Pavit said it was an honour to win in memory of the beloved monarch.

“This trophy, I dedicate it and my life to the king. I bow to the king,” said Pavit. “All the Thai players are sad.

“The king is our inspiration.”

Pavit, 26, shot a flawless seven-under 64 for a 16-under-par total of 268, and was joined by Lahiri after the defending champion birdied the last seven holes to force a play-off.

But Lahiri’s fortunes were crushed when he laid up into a water hazard on the par-five 18th and took bogey, while Pavit completed the victory in style with a birdie.

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