21 year-old Gaganjeet Bhullar of India produced a brilliant course record eight-under-par 64 to win the season-opening Asian Tour International by one shot earlier today and pocket a cheque for US$47,550.

Starting the final round six strokes back, Bhullar reinforced his growing reputation as one of Asia’s brightest prospects with a superb come-from-behind victory, the second of his career, at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.

The Indian sank an eagle and six birdies for an unblemished card and edged out Korea’s Hwang Inn-choon, who signed for a 69 for second place in the US$300,000 event.

Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka, runner-up last year, took third place with a 68 while overnight leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand carded a disappointing 73 to finish tied fourth with Jbe Kruger of South Africa, three behind the winner.

Bhullar’s title charge was sparked by an eagle at the par five second hole when an eight iron approach stopped three feet of the flag. He nailed four more birdies to turn in 30 and added two more birdies on 15, for the outright lead, and 18 to clinch a memorable triumph with his winning total of 11-under-par 277.

Hwang, who was also chasing his second Asian Tour win, was in the hunt down the straight after overcoming a double bogey on 11 with birdies on 14 and 15. But an errant drive into the hazard on 17 for bogey left him with the tall order of having to eagle the par five last hole to force a play-off which he could only birdie.

The burly Kiradech, who had held at least a share of the lead from the opening round, cut a forlorn figure after staggering home with two birdies, one bogey and one double bogey as his hopes of a maiden title vanished.

Leading final round scores

277 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 71-71-71-64

278 - Hwang Inn-choon (KOR) 72-70-67-69

279 - Tetsuji Hiratsuka (JPN) 71-72-68-68

280 - Jbe Kruger (RSA) 70-72-69-69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-70-69-73

282 - Ted Oh (KOR) 76-70-71-65, Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 71-74-70-67, Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 70-72-69-71

283 - Lucas Lee (BRA) 68-74-72-69, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 70-72-71-70, Kenichi Kuboya (JPN) 73-69-71-70, David Johnson (USA) 71-70-69-73

284 - Varut Chomchalam (THA) 73-72-72-67, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 72-72-71-69, Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-70-71-74

285 - Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 73-73-71-68, Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-69-76-71, Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 72-69-72-72, Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 69-73-72-71, Angelo Que (PHI) 74-67-70-74