KARACHI, Jan 21: Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari claimed his maiden Asian Tour title with a two-stroke triumph at the Pakistan Open on Sunday.

Airil, who won seven titles on the domestic circuit, kept his cool under pressure in the closing stages as he fired four birdies against two bogeys for a two-under-par 70 in the final round.

The Malaysian secured his title in emphatic fashion with a birdie at the final 18th hole for a 19-under-par 269 total. He finished two strokes ahead of Australian rookie Scott Hend who claimed the runner-up spot after a 69 at the Karachi Golf Club.

Airil enjoyed the biggest win of his career as he walked away with US$47,550 as champion. With the result, he currently leads the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit this season.

Englishman Simon Hurd was even-par for the day and ended his Pakistan campaign with a 274 total in third position while local player Mohammad Shabbir finished seven strokes off the pace in fourth spot after a 71.

Chris Rodgers of England, who was last year’s winner, claimed joint fifth place after a 71 alongside India’s Rahil Gangjee who carded a similar score in the final round.

After having nursed a minor ankle injury sustained on Saturday night, Airil remained steady from the start firing a birdie on the third hole before dropping a shot in the following fourth hole. With another birdie on the sixth, Airil kept the momentum going through the back nine with his third birdie of the day at the 14th hole. He then dropped a shot on the 16th hole and despite mounting pressure from Hend, Airil remained calm as he holed a 25 foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to seal his win.

“I can’t believe I did it. It hasn’t sunk it yet,” said Airil.

Leading final-round scores:

269 – Airil Rizman Zahari (Malaysia) 67, 68, 64, 70.

271 – Scott Hend (Australia) 70, 66, 66, 69.

274 – Simon Hurd (England) 68, 65, 69, 72.

276 – Mohammad Shabbir (Pakistan) 66, 72, 67, 71.

278 – Chris Rodgers (England) 69, 70, 68, 71; Rahil Gangjee (India) 71, 67, 69, 71.

279 – Yeh Chang-ting (Taiwan) 69, 69, 72, 69; Olle Nordberg (Sweden) 72, 66, 70, 71; Ashok Kumar (India) 71, 66, 71, 71.

280 – Roy Moon (US) 71, 71, 71, 67; Uttam Singh Mundy (India) 68, 68, 75, 69; Gavin Flint (Australia) 71, 68, 72, 69; Mark Mouland (Wales) 70 69, 71, 70; Barry Hume (Scotland) 68, 68, 73, 71.—Agencies