Australia's Scott Hend came from six shots behind to win the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic in Thailand by three strokes on Sunday, carding a final-round eight-under-par 64.

Hend earned his third Asian Tour title at the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai, taking home the winner's check of $135,000 with his four-day total of 20-under-par 268.

South African newcomer Bryce Easton, playing in his first Asian Tour event, also shot a 64 to take second place.

Overnight leader Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand settled for third on 272 after hitting a poor 74.

China's Hu Mu continued his good progress, finishing fourth with a 68.

It was a disappointing tournament for four-time major winner Ernie Els, who switched to his favored belly putter after three days with the short stick, and finished tied 14th in the $750,000 Asian Tour tournament.

But the British Open champion, who is in the process of phasing out his belly putter owing to an impending ban on anchored putting, insisted he was in good shape for the upcoming Masters tournament.

"I came here to get my swing under control, which I think it did," said Els.

The short game is not too bad, everything is kind of there. It's just the confidence search now."

The South African star said he will use the belly putter at the Masters but will switch to the conventional stick leading up to the US Open in June.

Reuters - Global Times