DGC Open: Ajeetesh Sandhu loses in play-off, finishes second; Nitithorn wins maiden Asian Tour title

Sandhu came agonisingly close to winning the inaugural DGC Open before going down in the play-offs as Thailand's Nitithorn Thippong claimed his maiden Asian Tour title in a compelling finish on Sunday. Sandhu (71) and Nitithorn (73) produced a birdie each in the 18th hole to finish seven under after four rounds, forcing a play-off. Nitithorn, the overnight leader by two shots, then made a brilliant birdie on the first play-off hole -- par-five 18th, while Sandhu holed out for par to miss out in the end.

"It was a good week. Looking back, I'll definitely take a lot from it. It was disappointing how it finished but that's golf. You always have to keep coming back from disasters. No regrets because while competing you're always trying your best," said Sandhu. "In hindsight, I would say on the 17th I tried to hit a shot which was not a high percentage one. I tried to move it with the wind to go into the flag but just didn't make a good swing."

Thailand's Settee Prakongvech ended one shot short of the play-off after returning 71 to finish outright third for his best Asian Tour result, while Gaganjeet Bhullar from India carded 72 to claim sole fourth, two strokes further back. Nitithorn lived up to his nickname "Fever" by raising the temperature of his game on the famous 18th at the DGC. Tied with playing-partner Sandhu on the last in normal time, he holed a 10-footer for birdie which forced his Indian opponent to make his four from five feet to send the tournament into overtime.

The 25-year-old Thai golfer then reached the green with two fine shots in the play-off, leaving himself a 15-foot eagle putt, while Sandhu found the putting surface in three, having landed in trouble off the tee. After Sandhu missed his birdie