Congratulations to HSPSE pupil Chris Wood scored the first win of his professional career today with a two-shot victory in a rain-interrupted U.S. $1 million Thailand Open, breaking the hearts of home fans seeking a first Thai champion in eight years.

The 24-year-old European Tour regular who works with Putting Coach Phil Kenyon and was competing in a OneAsia Tour event for the first time -- fired rounds of 67, 64, 67 and 67 for a 23-under par total of 265 on the 6,471 metre (7,077 yard) Suwan Golf and Country Club.

Hard-charging Thais Arnond Vongvanij (65) and Wisut Artjanawat (67) battled to catch Wood, but had to settle for a share of third place with Korean Lee Dong-hwan (67).

"It is brilliant – I am really, really pleased," Wood said, after what appeared to be a victory march from the 17th was interrupted by a rain delay of over an hour.

Wood put one hand on the winner's cheque of over US$181,000 with a birdie putt of around 30 feet on 11th and then effectively pocketed it with an even longer effort on 15."It was a tough putt, but I putted really nicely this week," he said.

"It is hard winning. I always felt that once I got one win it would give me the confidence to go on and win more, so hopefully I can take this confidence back to the remainder of the tournaments I have got for the season."