The 2001 and 2004 US Open champ proved his professional strength with dramatic performance in the fourth round at the Royal Johor Country Club yesterday, securing six under 66 and a four-round total of 12 under 276 to take away the title of the second largest golf open in Malaysia.

He took the lead by the 11th hole in the final round which was halted for an hour and a half because of rain. And from then on he continued his triumph to bag the US$79,250 winner's cheque.

"It's nice to win again after almost 18 months without a victory. It means a lot to me. At least, I have managed to pick up one win every year since 1995," he said.

Thailand's Thaworn Wirachant's played a final round of 71, overcoming the previous forerunners Niclas Fasth from Sweden and Mitchell Brown from Australia with a total of ten under 278 to become the runner-up.

Australia's Kane Webber also surpassed Fasth and Brown to stand at the third place with two 70 in the last two rounds.

Brown, former world top amateur golfer, saw his lead disappear with one over 73 in the final round yesterday, while and Fasth, the Swedish pro and a 14-time winner on the European Tour, got three over 75.

Both ranked at the fourth place, together with Andrew Dodt of Australia, Iain Steel from Malaysia, and Richard Moir of Australia with a total of seven under 281.