Maguire pips Asian Tour leader Catlin for first pro golf victory

HUA HIN, Thailand: American Michael Maguire won his maiden professional title at the Black Mountain Championship on Sunday after a playoff to deny compatriot John Catlin a third Asian Tour victory of 2024.

Maguire, 31, who is in just his second season on the Asian Tour, made a winning par on the second play-off hole after order of merit leader Catlin missed a 15-footer to extend the contest.

Both players had finished on 23-under 265 at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, after Maguire shot a seven-under-par 65 and Catlin carded a 66 in the Asian Tour International Series event. Taiwan´s Lee Chieh-po shot a 65 to be solo third on 22-under par. New Zealand´s Ben Campbell (64), Suteepat Prateeptienchai (66) from Thailand, and Italian Stefano Mazzoli (66), tied for fourth, a further two strokes back.

“Big weight off my shoulders,” said Maguire. “I´m kind of a journeyman, played on every tour you can think of, and finally to get a win on a big, big tour like this is huge.” Catlin was attempting to win three titles in a season on the Asian Tour for the second time in his career. He achieved the feat in 2018.

“I mean, I gave it everything I had, I went bogey free,” said Catlin, who won the International Series Macau and the Saudi Open back-to-back this year. Leading scores after the final round of the Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand, on Sunday (par 72):

265 - Michael Maguire (USA) 68-64-68-65, wins after playoff

265 - John Catlin (USA) 69-65-65-66

266 - Lee Chieh-po (TPE) 68-69-64-65

268 - Ben Campbell (NZL) 68-70-66-64, Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) 65-66-71-66, Stefano Mazzoli (ITA) 67-65-70-66

269 - Nick Voke (NZL) 68-67-69-65, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 65-66-66-72

270 - Sihwan Kim (USA) 69-68-70-63, Richard T. Lee (CAN) 66-66-72-66, Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA) 67-66-71-66, Bjorn Hellgren (SWE) 69-67-68-66, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 68-66-69-67