HE CAME close, but not close enough.

Singaporean Lam Chih Bing shot a final-round 69 to finish joint-sixth with a total of 278 at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters yesterday.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee ended his two-year title drought after a thrilling play-off triumph, reported asiantour.com.

Thongchai holed a five-foot putt for par in the third play-off hole for his ninth Asian Tour title at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.

'This win is dedicated to my family, especially to my two-day-old son who was born on 5 Dec. He has given me the inspiration and the drive to win,' said Thongchai.

Three-way play-off

In regulation play, Thongchai fired a five-under-par 67 for a 15-under-par 273 total to force a three-way play-off with Welshman Rhys Davies and Australian Andrew Dodt who had both completed their rounds with birdies on the par-four 18th hole.

Davies missed a three feet birdie opportunity in the first play-off hole as all three players parred and headed back to the 18th tee for the second play-off battle.

Dodt then found the rough off the tee in the second play-off hole and his run ended when his chip at the edge of the green slipped by, leaving Thongchai and Davies to return to the tee after both players closed in with birdies.

In the third play-off hole, Davies struck a wayward drive and found the bunker. A miss-hit in the bunker proved costly for Davies as Thongchai, who had found the fairway, produced a solid chip at the edge of the green and left the ball within five feet away for a par putt and the win.

'I played well even in regulation play. But the play-off was intense. Rhys was unlucky but I took advantage and I'm extremely delighted,' admitted Thongchai.

'It's been two years since my last win and to win again brings back a fantastic feeling.'

Davies was pleased with his overall performance in Ho Chi Minh despite the play-off defeat.

He said: 'I'm pleased as I played well. But in the third play-off hole, the ball was buried quite deep in and I had a miss-hit. It was unfortunate.'

Australia's Dodt was happy to have sealed his card for next season. He shot a blistering course record of 63 which had booked place in the play-off.

'The positive side of things is that I have secured my playing rights for next year. It was a good week. I was nervous heading out to the play-off but credit to Thongchai and Rhys who played well,' said Dodt.

FINAL SCORES

273: *Thongchai Jaidee 67-69-70-67, Andrew Dodt 70-71-69-63, Rhys Davies 67-70-70-66

*Thongchai wins on third play-off hole

276: Thaworn Wiratchant 72-65-71-68

277: Kodai Ichihara 65-69-72-71

278: Lam Chih Bing 73-69-67-69, Scott Barr 66-72-74-66, Chawalit Plaphol 71-70-68-69, Sattaya Supupramai 69-70-70-69

279: Artemio Murakami 67-69-71-72, Young Nam 67-70-70-72

280: Joo Hewng-chul 74-69-71-66, Wang Ter-chang 66-70-73-71, Pijit Petchkasem 69-70-69-72