Sunday 19 April 2015 14:51, UK
Kiradech Aphibarnrat was pleased to end a run of up-and-down form with a tense victory in the Shenzhen International.
Aphibarnrat had to make up two shots on leader Li Hao-Tong in the last two holes to make it into a play-off, which he won at the first attempt with a birdie on the 18th hole.
The Thai player won his first European Tour event in 2013 at the Malaysian Open, but he had struggled since then due to a combination of factors and admitted his China victory came as a relief.
"I have been struggling for a year," said Aphibarnrat, whose best recent finish was a fourth place in the True Thailand Classic in February.
"I lost my coach (Natpasit Chokthanasart, who died in December 2013), I changed my equipment and haven't been on the top of the leaderboard for a while but finally I can do it and it was great.
"I had a chance to win in 72 holes but the putt in the play-off is the best putt I have ever made in my life."
Aphibarnrat soon lost his two-stroke lead going into the final round to a flying Pablo Larrazabal, but he gave thanks to his caddie for keeping him going, especially in the closing stages.
He made a superb eagle on the long 17th hole to join Li in the lead, and even though he missed a chance to win the tournament on the final green, Aphibarnrat was able to make the most of a fine approach to the first extra hole and secure the trophy.
"It's been such a tough day today," Aphibarnrat added. "I didn't start well like the other days with three or four birdies, I was one over on the front nine and Pablo was playing great to start. He put a lot of pressure on me.
"I tried to play more safe than the first three rounds because the wind was picking up and it was not easy to make birdies. I just tried to hit it on the greens but I was struggling with my putting, everything was too tight and I felt nervous on the front nine.
"Special thanks to my caddie, he was always pushing me. When we were two behind on the last two holes he said you have not lost, we have not signed the scorecard yet and he was completely right and I just got the job done."
The European Tour stays in China next week for the Volvo China Open. Live coverage begins Thursday at 5.30am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
