Sikhio: Venezuela’s Wolmer Murillo rounded off two earlier rounds of 71 with a 69 to win Thailand’s Mountain Creek Open, round five of the 19 stage Mena Golf Tour, at five under par, three strokes clear of his rivals, on Thursday.
Murillo made the turn at three under par before offsetting his only bogey on the 11th with a birdie on 14.
He had started the day two shots off the pace, but profited from a meltdown from overnight leader Sixto Casabona-Navarro after the Spaniard hit a final round of 78 after opening with rounds of 69 and 71 to finish tied for seventh. “Winning is never easy and I am delighted that all my hard work has paid off,” said Murillo.
Casabona-Navarro played the front nine at five over and said of his setback: “I played somewhat better coming home, but the damage had already been done.”
Meanwhile, India’s Rayhan Thomas finished second at two under par after shooting 76, 72, 66, to win the amateur division for the second week in a row.
The 16-year-old’s final round of eight birdies, including five on the back nine, and two bogeys, equalled his career best score of 66, which he also shot at last year’s Dubai Creek Open.
“I hit a lot of good shots out there and putted really well,” said Thomas. “It was one of those days when everything clicked. Now I know I can shoot low, which is a great confidence boost.”
Thai amateur Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng finished third a further shot back on one-under after rounds of 70, 74, 71.
The Mena Golf Tour stays in Thailand for round six of the series, the MahaSamutr Masters in Hua Hin’s Banyan Golf Club, from May 17 to 19.
