Tied for the lead through 54 holes, Martin was seeking the first major win of his professional career but struggled with his iron play over the opening nine holes of his final round, hitting just four of nine greens despite hitting seven of seven fairways.

Turning in 1-over, Martin’s ball-striking improved considerably on the back nine but it was his putter that failed to fire, a three-putt bogey at the par-5 14th a costly dropped shot in the run home.

Playing in the final group, Martin enhanced his chances of joining the playoff with a birdie at the par-3 16th but was unable to get the one he needed at the closing two holes to finish one shy, American John Catlin claiming his fourth Asian Tour title with a birdie at the first playoff hole.

Top 10 in both the Victorian PGA Championship                and Tailor-made Building Services NT PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia the 2004 Australian Amateur champion was without a top-five anywhere since the 2014 Victorian PGA. With this result in Thailand he has now moved to 85th on the Habitat for Humanity standings from just five starts and with the confidence he can push towards the top 60 in the final six events of the season.

“You’ve just got to give yourself opportunities out there,” Martin said following his third round of 3-under 68 with just 26 putts.

“Putting is probably one of my strengths, so just give myself opportunities and hopefully hole some putts.

“I have been playing a lot lately and I think they help my game which has been trending the right way.”

Newcastle’s Jake Higginbottom took an important step in solidifying his place on the Asian Tour next year with a tie for 14th courtesy of a final round of 3-under 68, his best finish in Asia this year.

Tied for 14th also in his most recent start at the Victorian PGA Championship, Higginbottom hit eight of nine greens on his run home, moving up to 53rd on the Order of Merit and inside the all-important top 60 who keep their cards at the end of the year.

Asian Tour
Thailand Open
Thai Country Club, Hom Sin

T4           Andrew Martin 67-68-68-71—274             $US13,650
T14         Jake Higginbottom          70-69-71-68—278             $4,161
T48         Jason Norris       69-72-72-71—284             $1,405
T57         Steven Jeffress 67-72-73-73—285             $1,095
T57         Daniel Fox           67-72-72-74—285             $1,095
T65         Travis Smyth      70-68-73-76—287             $885
MC         Daniel Gaunt      73-71—144
MC         Josh Younger     73-73—146
MC         Terry Pilkadaris 72-75—147
MC         Scott Barr            76-75—151