Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po celebrated his first Asian Tour win at the International Series Thailand, dramatically overtaking favorite Peter Uihlein with birdies on the final two holes at Thai Country Club. Lee’s seven-under-par 63 in the final round propelled him to a 21-under total, leaving Uihlein and Canada’s Richard T. Lee tied for second, both finishing two strokes behind.

Lee, also known as Max, demonstrated remarkable composure as he birdied the par-five 17th, narrowing Uihlein’s lead to just one shot. The decisive moment came on the 18th hole when Lee sank a 12-foot birdie putt, while Uihlein, who found a greenside bunker, failed to save par. Uihlein had been leading since the second round and entered the final day with a three-shot advantage, but ultimately closed with a 67.

“It’s been an amazing week,” said Lee, reflecting on his long-awaited victory after numerous close calls, including two runner-up finishes and five top-five results, such as a third-place finish at last week’s Black Mountain Championship. “I’ve come close many times, even in my first year on tour in 2015. But my tee shots and putting have improved, and it made the difference this week.”

A Journey to Victory

The 29-year-old Lee has shown steady improvement over the years. He credited recent swing changes for his success, saying, “After last season, I adjusted my swing. I knew I was on the right path, so I kept working, and now it feels better than last year.” Despite a bogey on the 15th, Lee’s resilience shone through in his closing birdies, securing his first tour title in dramatic fashion.

Growing up playing alongside Kevin Yu, who recently claimed a PGA Tour victory, Lee found inspiration from his friend’s achievements, further motivating his pursuit of victory.

Uihlein Reflects on a Tough Finish

Peter Uihlein, who had set his sights on claiming his second International Series title within three months, was gracious in defeat. “I didn’t putt well enough to win,” he admitted. “I felt like I played well tee-to-green for four days, but struggled on the greens, especially yesterday, which opened the door for someone to shoot low scores like 63 or 62. I made a bogey on the last and missed some easy putts – that’s golf.”

Richard T. Lee’s Near Miss

Richard T. Lee, a two-time Asian Tour winner, came close to victory yet again. Since the tour’s resumption after the pandemic, he has consistently been in contention, with multiple runner-up and third-place finishes. The Canadian carded a 62 in the final round, highlighted by a streak of six consecutive birdies starting from the 12th hole, but a missed birdie putt on the last hole proved costly. “I told my caddie I was going to shoot six-under on the back nine after a bogey on the ninth. I almost did, but I came up just short,” he shared.

Standout Performances and Upcoming Events

The tournament also featured strong performances from other players, with last week’s Black Mountain Championship winner Michael ‘MJ’ Maguire shooting a 62 to tie for fourth at 18-under, alongside fellow Americans Paul Peterson and Christian Banke. John Catlin, the top-ranked player on the Asian Tour, finished tied for 12th with a final round of 68.

The Asian Tour now moves on to the BNI Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, where defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar will face stiff competition. Among the star attractions is two-time US Masters champion Bubba Watson, adding to the excitement as the season continues.

Lee Chieh-po’s first Asian Tour victory at the International Series Thailand marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing resilience and skill in a thrilling final-round performance. As the tour heads to Indonesia, the competition remains fierce, setting the stage for more memorable moments on the Asian Tour.