Birdie-birdie finish gives Taiwan’s Lee first Asian Tour win

BANGKOK: Taiwan´s Lee Chieh-po birdied the final two holes to pip Peter Uihlein and secure a first Asian Tour win at the International Series Thailand on Sunday.

America Uihlein had led since Friday´s second round until Lee stunned him with a superb closing round of seven-under-par 63 to finish on 21-under 259.

Uihlein had a 67 to tie for second place a stroke behind along with Canadian Richard T. Lee, who carded a 62.

Taiwan´s Lee birdied the par-five 17th to move to within one of Uihlein, who still looked to be heading for victory.

Lee drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the last, shortly before his American opponent found a greenside bunker and missed his par putt from a similar range.

“It´s been a simply amazing week,” said the victorious Lee, who finished runner-up twice previously.

“After last season I changed my swing a little bit, but I knew I was on the right path, so I just kept doing it, kept working, and now it´s feeling better than last year.”

The 29-year-old grew up playing golf with Kevin Yu, a winner on the PGA Tour this year, and said he was an inspiration.

Uihlein had led by three at the start of the day.