By GolfDigestME.com
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond won for the first time in nearly three years when he triumphed in the $1.5 million International Series Morocco after a brilliant eagle, birdie finish at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.

The 2019 Asian Tour No. 1 closed with a fine six-under-par 67 to finish on 12-under and beat Canadian Richard T Lee by one stroke.

Lee, who missed a 16-foot birdie putt on the last to force a play-off, shot a 70 while LIV Golf’s David Puig fired a 73 to finish third, a stroke further back.

Jazz, playing in the third from last group having started the day four shots behind overnight leader Puig, burst through to victory thanks to a stunning five-under-par back nine.

He made birdie on 11 and 15 but it was the short and driveable par-four 17th that proved to be pivotal. Lee, playing in the final group, had appeared to be in control and on course to win for much of the back nine but that all changed when Jazz found the green with his tee shot on 17 and holed a 20-foot eagle putt. The Thai golfer then drew level with Lee after holing a five-footer for birdie on the par-five 18th. To the surprise of everyone Lee then dropped a shot on 17, the easiest hole on the course, after finding trees off the tee before failing to draw level with Jazz on the last.

“It feels amazing. It’s been a long journey and I’m just so happy to end the year on a high note,” said Jazz, whose girlfriend and fellow professional golfer Sarina Schmidt caddied for him this week.

“I had three holes left and I wasn’t even nearly at the top. I just had a really good finish — everything was really quick. When that last putt dropped I just felt so relieved, the waiting game began, and now I’m here.”

He last won in December of 2019 at the Thailand Masters, which was one of his four wins that year.

“It’s been a long time since my last trophy — since before COVID. Now everything’s changed, I’ve found my way through and we’re here,” said the Thai, who has now tasted victory on seven occasions on the Asian Tour.

“This was my first time in Morocco and the city of Rabat has been amazing — the culture, the food, the people, everything. I heard a lot about this golf course already from people I play with and I knew it was going to be hard, but it’s exceeded all my expectations. I’ve been out nine weeks in a row and I’m tired now and my back’s hurting, but I came in with an open mind to exploring Morocco and Rabat, and I think that helped me win, because I didn’t come in with high expectations.”

Another LIV Golfer, Scott Vincent, finished in fourth, three behind the winner, after carding a 71, while his brother Kieran (74), Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma (66), Korean Taehoon OK (67) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand (70) were equal fifth, one shot further back.

The Asian Tour visits Egypt next week for the first time for the $1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club, from November 10 to 13.

You may also like:
Get your FREE November issue of Golf Digest Middle East here
Langer continues to deliver on senior tour
Three players set for DPWTC pro-am after Luckiest Ball triumph
DP World Tour Championship to be greenest yet
Rory shows of funny side and impressive trophy room
Famous Tiger Woods golf ball up for auction
Lydia Ko having ‘best season of her life’
Scheffler can steal back No. 1 from Rory
Nelly and Lexi in for QBE Shootout
Dubai’s Chiara Noja on a stellar 12 months as a pro
Tiger and Rory to play in ‘The Match’
Bubba says he was paid guaranteed money from PGA Tour to appear in events 
DP World Tour announces guaranteed pay for players and launches 2023 calendar
Koepka leads LIV fleet at International Series Morocco
Top tips from Butch Harmon