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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 6:28 a.m., Sunday, December 21, 2008

Golf: Singapore's Lam wins Volvo Masters by 2 strokes

Associated Press

BANGKOK, Thailand — Singapore's Lam Chihbing won the Asian Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters on Sunday, firing a 5-under 67 in the final round to win by two strokes.

Lam, one of five players sharing the lead heading into the final round, finished with three birdies in the final four holes for a four-round total of 14-under 274. Thailand's Chapchai Nirat (67) was second, with Australian Terry Pilkadaris (66) another stroke back in the $750,000 event.

"I have won a bunch of small ones before but this is just unbelievable," the 31-year old Lam said. "It was such a jam-packed leaderboard and I'm just so glad I went out and finished the job.

"To win on the Asian Tour has been a dream of mine. I always thought I could win one and to do it is unbelievable."

Lam came under pressure from Pilkadaris, but effective approach shots over the closing holes enabled him to take the $135,000 winner's check.

"At the first tee, I knew I needed to shoot a solid round," Lam said. "I knew some guys would play well and I'm glad I'm the one who went out and shot the score.

"I knew I needed to make some birdies coming in. To be able to pull them off at that juncture was very satisfying. Last week, I felt really good and texted my coach and told him that I felt I was ready to win. It just felt like it was my week."