BANGKOK --- Thai golf hero Prayad Marksaeng foiled Bacolod City hotshot Juvic Pagunsan to secure an emotional triumph at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia, which he later dedicated to the King of Thailand.

The 29-year-old Pagunsan, who started his career as a caddie at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin , Murcia , finished the year with $187,452 in earnings after playing 19 tournaments. Pagunsan scored a breakthrough win in the 2007 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational last month.

The 41-year-old Prayad birdied the 18th hole at Thai Country Club in a roller-coasted three-under-par 69 and won the US$750,000 Asian Tour finale by one shot from overnight leader Pagunsan and England's Chris Rodgers, who both bogeyed the closing hole for a 75 and 68 respectively.

A superb six iron to six feet set up Prayad for birdie on the last hole, which proved decisive as Pagunsan bogeyed the 18th after finding the greenside trap and Rodgers also dropped a shot after failing to save par from 12 feet.

A disappointed Pagunsan, searching for his second win of the year, showed signs of nerves as he struggled on the outward nine with four bogeys but fought back with birdies on 10 and 12. Walking up the 18th, he was tied with Prayad but sent his eight iron approach into the bunker and splashed his third shot 12 feet beyond the flag.

“I bogeyed the last hole again and it was costly (he bogeyed the 18th three times during the week). My approach did not connect properly and it went into the bunker. It was disappointing to lose like that,” said Pagunsan.

“I played very badly on the front nine. I missed a couple of drives and several putts lipped out. At that stage I thought this tournament was not going to be mine, it is for Prayad. I am happy for him. That is golf. I did not hit enough good shots today,” he said.

After securing his sixth triumph in the region, a tearful Prayad dedicated the victory to the King and also to Supphaphorn Maphungphong, the ‘grandee of Thai golf who passed away two weeks ago.

“I would like to dedicate this win to the King (who celebrated his 80th birthday this week) and Khun Supphaphorn, who was my coach,” said Prayad, who was amazingly the only player to birdie the 18th hole during the final round.

“This is certainly the biggest win of my career.”

Prayad, who totalled 13-under-par 275 and earned a cheque of US$135,000, produced several Houdini-like escapes on the back nine. With Pagusan, who led by four shots overnight, slipping up with an outward 40, the Thai got out of some sticky situations to stay in contention.

He drove it into the water on the 10th but saved par from six feet and then needed to save par again on the par five 17th hole, holing a similar length putt, after sending his second shot into a watery grave.

“I knew if I made par on 17, I could have a chance for birdie on 18. I was confident of par even though I hit the water with my second shot. On the last, I was just looking to put my approach shot on the green and give myself a chance. I knew I could make birdie if I was on the green and I'm glad I did,” said Prayad. *AFP

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