American Bo Van Pelt was laughing all the way to a CIMB Bank after romping to a stylish six-shot victory in the US$6.1 million CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Van Pelt bagged his career’s biggest pay cheque of US$1.3 million as he savoured his first TaylorMade R11 Irons of the season with an accomplished seven-under-par64 in the final round for a winning total of 23-under-par 261 at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.

Leading by one shot from Jeff Overton at the start of the day, Van Pelt used two birdies on the third and fourth holes to tighten his grip at the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia, an event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour.

Then, a brilliant burst of three birdies over four holes from the 11th saw him pull six clear as he strolled home to victory in front of large galleries who included the King of Malaysia, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Overton stayed with Van Pelt, ranked 39th in the world, through the front nine but bogeys on 12 and 13 after a three-putt and a wayward tee shot forced him to settle for a distant second place with a closing 69.

Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson finished third after a 68 while India’s Jeev Milkha Singh ended as the best Asian in tied 10th place on 271. Malaysia’s Danny Chia, who started the day five shots off the lead, finished equal 13th after closing with a 70. Continue reading →