Marcus Both breaks Asian drought

Last updated: 23rd November 2009

Australia's Marcus Both finally ended his six-year title drought on the Asian Tour by securing a one-stroke victory over Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Sunday.

Both began the final round six shots adrift of leader Craig Smith of Wales, but fired a closing five-under-par 67 to finish at nine under overall.

Shaaban needed a birdie at the last to force a play-off but could only finish his final round of 70 with a par to claim a career-high second at the Phokeethra Country Club.

Singapore's Mardan Mamat (67), Shiv Kapur of India (70) and Thailand's Annop Tangkamolprasert (74) finished a further shot behind, tied for third.

Overnight leader Smith closed with a disappointing 76 and was forced to settle for sixth alongside Will Yanagisawa (69) of the United States and Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul (72).

Both said: "I was not thinking about winning and the only time I looked at the leaderboard was when I was walking up on the 16th hole. I thought I needed to shoot six under to get close, but I guess I'm just fortunate that everything fell my way."

He started his charge with three birdies on the front nine before picking up three consecutive shots from 11, prior to dropping his only shot of the day at the 14th to open the door for Shaaban.

But Shaaban could only make par at the 18th after finding the fairway bunker and was left to rue an earlier double bogey at the ninth where he found water.

"I am really disappointed with my finish because I really gave it my all," Shaaban said.

"Even though I finished second, deep down inside, I feel that I am a winner. This is my best finish on the Asian Tour and I think if I can continue to push like I did this week, my maiden title will come soon enough."