Despite all eyes being set on his every stroke during the final round of the 2018 BNI Indonesian Masters on Sunday, Thai golfer Poom Saksansin maintained his composure in a tremendous performance to win his second title, repeating his feat from 2016.

The 25-year-old started the fourth and final round at the top of the leaderboard with 16-under-par 200. Paired with his compatriot Jazz Janewattananond and his idol Henrik Stenson of Sweden for Sunday’s play, Poom remained settled throughout the day to post a 4-under-par 68. The world number 239 finished with a 20-under-par 268.

Poom played clean with three birdies over the first nine holes, giving him some breathing room over Stenson, who posted one bogey and one birdie on the front nine.

Jazz, meanwhile, who started round four 10-under-par, began making fast ground on his compatriot, scoring five birdies over the first nine holes. While a bogey on hole 5 undid some his good work, he managed to pull within five shots of Poom as they headed into the back nine.

Jazz continued his good form from the front nine with another birdie on hole 10 and a brilliant eagle on hole 12. Unfortunately, with glory in sight, he faltered on holes 15 and 17 with two bogeys, all but erasing his chances of winning the US$750,000 tournament. Overall, Jazz finished in second place after another flawless eagle on the last hole, posting a tournament personal best 7-under-par 65 for the round to end with a 17-under-par 271.

On the flip side, Sunday did not prove kind for Poom’s idol Stenson, with the Swede underperforming by carding a poor 1-under-par 71, with two birdies and one bogey.

Competing in the tournament for the first time this year after skipping last year for a family vacation, Stenson was among the favorites to lift the Javanese puppet-shaped trophy but failed to continue the consistency he showed over the first three rounds, when he recorded a 67, 68 and 68 respectively.

During Sunday’s play, Stenson had opportunities to work his way up the leaderboard but missed birdie putts on holes 7, 11 and 12. In the end, he had to relinquish third place to yet another Thai golfer, Panuphol Pittayarat, who finished one shot better with a 15-under-par 273 over the four rounds.

After ensuring victory in the eighth edition of the tournament, Poom remained humble, smiling to his fans who cheered him along from the last hole to the clubhouse. He said he was calmer than he was two years ago when he took out his maiden Jakarta title.

He added that he could not be complacent and expect to play well throughout the tournament, as each day offered different nuances and challenges.

“I feel like my putting [on Sunday] was not as good as the second round,” he said, referring to Friday’s play when he carded 63.

The Thai youngster, whom Stenson dubbed the “Assassin”, said he was overjoyed to play against his idol again, after the two came up against each other for the first time earlier this year at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia where Poom also outclassed the Swede.

“I am very happy to be able to play Henrik [Stenson] again. It doesn’t matter [if I] win or lose, I just want to play against him,” he said, admitting that he only exchanged wishes of “good luck” with Stenson on the course.

At the award ceremony, Vice President Jusuf Kalla presented the trophy to Poom with a little note that Indonesians would do well to learn from the Thai, who started playing golf at an early age.

Meanwhile, the last round was not a good day for defending champion Justin Rose and lone wolf host Danny Masrin.

On the closing day, Rose posted a 3-over-par 75 to finish tied for 17th, while Danny finished well down the leaderboard at 64th.

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