SIEM REAP, Cambodia (AFP) — American golfer Bryan Saltus secured his maiden Asian Tour title at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open after a solid five-under-par 67 in the final round on Sunday.
Saltus reaped the rewards of his new putter, firing six birdies against a lone bogey for a winning total of 17-under-par 271 at the Phokeethra Country Club.
The 36-year-old champion walked away with the top prize of 47,550 dollars and rose to 30th place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.
"This is awesome. I would like to dedicate this win to Grateful Dead as they have inspired me all the way. Siem Reap is right up my alley so I've enjoyed my time on and off the course this week," said Saltus, who is an avid Grateful Dead fan, having been to 153 concerts.
Overnight leader Adam Groom of Australia posted a 71 to claim lone second spot as he finished three strokes behind the winner in the 300,000-dollar event.
The Thai duo of Thaworn Wiratchant and Prom Meesawat recorded matching 70s to claim joint third position after a 277 total
Thanks to a new putter that he picked up this week, Saltus got off to a flying start, chalking up three birdies in his first three holes. He extended his lead with a birdie on the 10th and ended his captivating run with a final birdie on the 17th hole.
"My putting has been the winning formula this week. It's also nice to be one stroke off the lead coming into the final round as all eyes would be on the leader and not me," he said.
"I had a good start with three birdies and my confidence carried on after that. I told my caddie (Phal Savern) that if I win, I would buy her a motorbike and now that I've done it, I will get her a brand new motorbike," said the Californian-based golfer, who has been playing on the Asian Tour since 2004.
Despite a slow final round performance, with five birdies against four bogeys, Groom was pleased with his overall result at the lengthy 7,226-yard par 72 course.
"It's been a good week for me. I've shot four rounds under par which was something I couldn't do all year until this week. It was a tough day out there and catching Bryan was going to be difficult with the form he was in today. But all credit to Bryan for his win this week," said Groom.
Malaysia's Danny Chia posted a 67 for his best finish this season in joint fifth spot alongside Korea's Kang Ji-Man, who shot a 66. Chapchai Nirat of Thailand ended his campaign with a 73 to claim tied eighth position together with England's Yasin Ali, who was even-par for the day.
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