AsiaGolfOnline

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee ended his two year title drought after a thrilling play-off triumph at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters on Sunday.

Thongchai holed a five foot putt for par in the third play-off hole for his ninth Asian Tour title at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.

As a result of his success, Thongchai walked away with the winner’s cheque of US$79,250.

First round leader Kodai Ichihara of Japan managed to take back his first round lead on the third round Saturday after settling for the second place overnight in the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.

Ichihara fired a par 72 on the third fround but still managed to get a 10-under 206 aggregate to share the top place with Pyo Suk-min of Korea and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.

Korea’s Pyo Suk-min fired a five-under-par 67 to take the lead of the secound round at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club on Friday

Pyo, 23, posted six birdies against a lone bogey for an 11-under-par 133 total and a one stroke lead over Kodai Ichihara, the overnight leader (click title to read full story).

Japan’s Kodai Ichihara nailed a steady seven-under-par 65 for a narrow one stroke lead in the opening round at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters on Thursday.

Ichihara, who was the 1999 World Junior champion, blasted nine birdies against two bogeys for the sole lead at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee blasted a five-under-par 67 for the joint lead in the early stages of the opening round at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters on Thursday.

The former Asian Tour number one carded six birdies against a lone bogey and was tied at the top of the pack alongside India’s Digvijay Singh, Filipino Artemio Murakami and Welshman Rhys Davies at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.

Filipino ace Frankie Minoza nailed a 69 to lie in a tie for fifth spot alongside Korea’s Park Hyo-won and Thailand’s Pijit Petchkasem in the US$500,000 Asian Tour event.

Title holder Chapchai Nirat will be eager to cash in on the top prize for the second straight year when tees off at the US$500,000 Hana Bank Vietnam Masters this week.

Although the big-hitting Thai star will defend his Asian Tour title at a different venue, he is determined to triumph at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club from December 4 to 7, 2008.

The Hana Bank Vietnam Masters will make its return to the 2008 Asian Tour Schedule from December 4 to 7, with Asia’s top stars battling for a total prize fund of US$500,000 at a new venue.