Prayad Marksaeng nearly surrendered a huge lead before surviving for a one stroke victory over Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa at the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.
Ishikawa, who recently posted his first victory as a professional, pushed Marksaeng to the very end in occasional light drizzle at Phoenix Country Club.
European Tour Member Marksaeng carded a closing 71 to finish at eight under 276, with Ishikawa (68) alone in second place on seven under.
Another European Tour Member, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, and Japanese duo Shigeki Maruyama and Hiroyuki Fujita tied for third on six under.
Marksaeng, a 42 year old late bloomer from Thailand who recently began putting cross-handed, was five shots ahead with eight holes left, but double bogeyed the par three 11th after misclubbing and he also bogeyed the 12th to open the door to his rivals.
However, a birdie putt from 18 feet from the fringe at the par four 16th steadied the ship and he held on to collect the first prize.
Marksaeng arrived here on Monday worn out after playing in China and Singapore the past two weeks, and winning was the last thing on his mind.
"I felt very tired and at first I was thinking of making the cut," said Marksaeng, who jumped to third on the Japan Tour money list.
"I didn't think about winning but the first day I played well and after the third round I was confident.”
