Pratt victorious in Burma Open play-off

6 Feb 2012, 7:51 am   -   Source: AAP
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Kieran Pratt has won his first Asian PGA title in a three-way play-off at the Burma Open after fellow Australian Scott Hend blew his overnight lead with a 74.

Australia's Kieran Pratt won his first Asian Tour title at the Burma Open on Sunday with a birdie on the second play-off hole after the regulation four rounds ended in a three-way tie.

The 23-year-old was five shots adrift of the lead after Saturday's third round but carded a fine four-under-par final-round 68, including an eagle three on the 18th, to battle back into contention in the $300,000 event.

After 72 holes at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club, Pratt was all square on 15-under-par 273 with fellow Australian Adam Blyth and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand.

Kiradech, who hit a final round par 72, bowed out on the first play-off hole when he narrowly missing a 35-foot putt as Pratt and Blyth both birdied.

Pratt triumphed with another birdie on the same hole as Blyth could only make par after finding water with his tee shot.

"Fantastic. It feels great to win the first event of the year. Obviously you want to get off to a fast start but to win is obviously better," Pratt told reporters.

Playing only his second year on the Tour, Pratt said he sensed an opportunity to challenge the leaders on the back nine.

"I felt like I was a long way from the lead but walking up the 14, 15 and 16 holes, I kind of felt like the leaders were going nowhere. I told myself if I could get a couple of birdies on the way back, I could force a play-off and then I eagled the 18th hole," he said.

Blyth - still searching for his maiden Tour win - overcame an eight-shot deficit with a sensational round of 65 to make the play-off.

There was heartbreak for overnight leader Scott Hend of Australia, who held a comfortable two-shot lead after the eighth hole but found water twice on the ninth to card a quadruple bogey and finish with a 74 to tie for fourth on 274.

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