Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig stormed to his first international win on the Asian Development Tour today, carding a 65 to claim victory in the Lexus Invitational at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram, Vietnam.

Baig, who started the day three flights and three shots behind the leaders, reeled off a sizzling string of five birdies to stamp his authority on the round, making the turn in 30.

Two more birdies followed and despite a bogey on the last hole, he had done enough to wait in the clubhouse and watch his challengers fade away.

“It was a great day for me,” he said after his round. “A good score. Five birdies on the front nine, two birdies and a bogey on the back.”

“Mostly short putts. I started on the fourth hole, long putt for birdie, and then it was birdie, birdie, birdie… Just magical.

“Everything was perfect today, except for the last hole!”

“To win is always a special feeling. I’m so happy, first win on an international tour, actually my third win in a row, two in Pakistan last week and this is the third,” he added.

Despite the wind, which has been a constant factor on all three days of this US$85,000 ADT tournament, Baig (206) was able to overcome the weather which caused the overnight leaders to struggle.

Second place went to Jakraphan Premsirigorn (208) of Thailand, who carded two birdies to move up one spot, finishing ahead of Korea’s Lion Park and overnight leader Sangchai Kaewcharoen who shared third place with 209 strokes over the three rounds.

Japan’s Aoki Takano (210) claimed a share of fifth alongside Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand, who finished with a disappointing double bogey at the last to deny him a place further up the leaderboard.

Kammalas Namuangruk of Thailand and Korea’s Minhyeok Yang were two early starters who took full advantage of a morning lull to improve their positions, posting 66 and 68 respectively to join Natipong Srithong of Thailand and Liu Enhua of China in seventh place on 211 strokes.

In 11th spot on 212 strokes were Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto, who shared Baig’s low round of the day with a 65, his compatriot Weerawish Narkprachar, Eric McIntosh of Scotland, Liu Yung-hua of Chinese Taipei and Australia’s Peter Wilson.

The Lexus Challenge, which is now in its fourth year, was jointly sanctioned by the ADT and the Vietnam Golf Association and was the opening event in what is expected to be one of the strongest schedules in the history of the ADT.