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The sweet swinging Thai fired a final round two-under-par 70 to win by five shots from his teenage compatriot Panuphol Pittayarat  and Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing (pictured below, left).

Panuphol carded a 69 and at the age of 17 showed that he is one of the most exciting young golfers in the region. Lam, who was also second in this event in 2008 and fifth last year, shot a 66.

It is Chawalit’s second victory of the season on the Mercedes-Benz Tour as he triumphed in the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Championship in the Philippines. His purple patch has been part of a fine comeback following nearly two years of poor form.

“I really have been working hard on my game. I have spent a lot of time on the driving range working things out. Today was tough as I had quite a big lead and in the hot weather it is really hard to keep concentrating,” said Chawalit, who had a six shot lead at the start of the day.

The 35 year old finished with a four round total of 17-under-par 271. The victory also made amends for losing last month’s Singha E-San Open on the Mercedes-Benz Tour. He led that event for the first three days but eventually finished third after his countryman Thaworn Wiratchant overtook him.

“That was on my mind today. I should have won in E-San but got careless. It is good to recover from that by winning this week,” added Chawalit.

The Thai turned professional in 1996 and has recorded two wins on the Asian Tour in the 1998 Orient Masters in China and the 2006 Bangkok Airways Open. He also enjoyed a lucrative spell in Japan where he claimed the ANA Open in 2004. He earned a cheque for US$9,750 and moved to the top of the Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit with earnings of US$22,244.

The top-six players on the final Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit gain entry into this year’s Barclays Singapore Open and so Chawalit has virtually booked his place. Also with the Thailand Open on OneAsia just two weeks away Chawalit will start as one of the favourites.

Teenage sensation Panuphol got to within four strokes of Chawalit at one point but will have to wait a bit longer before he claims his first Mercedes-Benz Tour title.

“I finished second in the Thailand PGA last year but I think this has to be my best ever result. I am very tired but very happy,” said Panuphol.

Lam did well to finish joint runner up having opened with a 75. His final two rounds of 65 and 66 allowed him to leap up the leaderboard.

“I like the way I came back after the poor start. It is a very encouraging sign that I hope will lead to a good second half of the year,” said Lam.

Defending champion Mardan Mamat (right) from Singapore closed with a 68 and finished seven strokes behind the winner in joint fifth place.

The Mercedes-Benz Tour heads to Kuala Lumpur next week for the US$60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia. The tournament is being played at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club from August 18 to 21.

Leading final round scores:
 
(Par 72)

271 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 67 68 66 70
276 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 75 70 65 66, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 68 73 66 69
277 - Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 71 72 67 67
278 - Scott Barr (AUS)  70 67 73 68, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 70 70 70 68
280 - Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 73 69 70 68
283 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 76 70 68 69, Zaw Moe (MYR) 70 69 72 72
284 - Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 70 71 73 70
285 - Mohd Sukree Othman (MAS) 70 72 74 69,  Passamet Pogamnerd (THA) 71 74 70 70, Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (THA) 72 70 72 71
286 - Haziq Hamizan (MAS)  71 71 70 74
287 - Poh Eng Wah (SIN)  72 75 69 71, Tepphatud Sanawong (THA) 70 72 72 73
288 - Apichai Leelakajonjit (THA) 76 73 68 71, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 76 69 71, Ronnachai Jamnong (THA) 69 74 72 74, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 75 70 70 73

From Golf Digest Singapore Sept 2010 issue