KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant claimed a record 14th Asian Tour title as he cruised to a three-shot victory at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters in Malaysia yesterday.

The 45-year-old shot a three-under-par 69 in the final round for a winning total of 16-under-par 272 at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.

India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar was second in the $395,000 event, with Vietnam’s Michael Tran, Bangladesh’s Siddikur and Spain’s Javi Colomo tied for third another shot behind.

“I’m very glad to win this tournament,” said Thaworn, who pocketed $60,900 for his record triumph, according to an Asian Tour press release.

“When I played in the practice round, I thought I would have a disadvantage on the par fives but I holed a few birdies and my confidence started to build.

“The first time I joined the Asian Tour, I couldn’t make the cut. I never thought I would come this far. After I won my first title (1996 Sabah Masters in Malaysia), I thought I could win more and I kept practising more and more to make myself better.”

Bhullar, 24, said Thaworn who held a three-shot lead overnight, was too far ahead to catch.

“He’s an experienced guy as he knows how to close the deal. Congratulations to him,” he said.

Tran, 22, Vietnam’s only player on the Asian Tour, has thought about quitting the game after a lack of success.

“This should give me some hope to get into the events later like the Thailand Golf Championship and Iskandar Johor Open. If I can get my card by finishing in the top-60 (of the Order of Merit), it will change my decision,” he said.

Selected final scores at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters 2012:

272 — Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 66-69-68-69

275 — Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 68-71-70-66

276 — Siddikur (BAN) 73-71-66-66, Javi Colomo (ESP) 68-69-72-67, Michael Tran (VNM) 67-68-73-68

278 — Jason Knutzon (USA) 72-68-70-68, Jesper Kennegard (SWE) 70-69-67-72

Griffin grabs lead with 69

Australian Matthew Griffin battled rain and blustery conditions yesterday to fire a two-under par 69 and grab a two shot lead in the Charity High1 Resort Open in South Korea.

After three rounds Griffin is at nine under for the tournament, which is being played on the country’s highest golf course in the mountainous Gangwon-do province.

South Korea’s Park Sang-Hyun is two shots behind going into the final round, with countryman and favorite Kim Bi-O tied for third alongside Australian Aaron Townsend.

The par of the course was reduced from 72 to 71 before the start of the round after the 10th tee was moved halfway down the fairway when fog prevented visibility from the original box.

“It was a tough day for scoring,” said Griffin, according to a OneAsia press release. “I had to hit a few different clubs off the tees because of the wind, but I’m hitting my irons nicely and I’m putting well.”

Park, currently third on the OneAsia Order of Merit with earnings of $138,492.12, has twice come close to winning this year and feels the experience will stand him in good stead on Sunday.

“This time I am going to go out there and play my game and look for the chance to push a bit more,” he said.

Bi-O, 22, lost his US PGA Tour playing card at the end of 2011 after spending the year as the youngest player on that circuit, but has been the standout player on the OneAsia tour.

“I am just going to go out there and play my game and hopefully it will turn out pretty good,” he said.

Scores after round three of the 2012 High1 Resort Open:

206 — Matthew Griffin (AUS) 67-70-69

208 — Park Sang-Hyun (KOR) 69-71-68

209 — Kim Bi-O (KOR) 72-70-67, Aaron Townsend (AUS) 70-69-70

210 — Choi Ho-Sung (KOR) 71-68-71, Lee Jun-Seok (KOR) 70-67-73

211 — Kang Kyung-Nam (KOR) 74-70-67

212 — Mo Joong-Kyung (KOR) 70-72-70, Park Ju-Hyuk (KOR) 69-72-71, Song Young-Hoon (KOR) 74-65-73