KUALA LUMPUR: Golfer Ben Leong achieved his best Asian Tour outing in four years after finishing tied-fifth at the US$2.5mil (RM11.08mil) International Series Qatar yesterday.
The 37-year-old carded a final round one-over 73 to finish on a one-under 287 total, six shots back of winner Andy Ogletree of the United States.
Ogletree, who held a five-shot advantage at the start of the finale, only needed a modest 73 to win by three shots from Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul.
Ben was well in contention at the halfway stage on Friday after shooting a 71 and 70 pair to be just two shots off the pace in solo second.
But he could only muster a 73 in the penultimate stage to lie six strokes adrift of Ogletree, who brilliantly blasted a 66 to seize the pole position.
Ben can still be proud of his performance as it was a challenging four days of competition due to the unrelenting winds. He was one of only six players who finished the week under-par.
His efforts were rewarded with the biggest paycheck of his career, a cool US$92,875 (RM411,600), eclipsing the US$50,250 (RM222,700) he received for finishing tied-22nd at the Barclays Singapore Open in 2008.
Ben, who placed a lowly tied-64th at the International Series Oman a fortnight ago, was relieved to be back in the groove.
"It's definitely a big confidence booster, especially after how badly I played in Oman last week," said Ben yesterday.
"I have been struggling with my game for the last couple of months.
"I just kept my head down and never quit, I just kept trying. I hope to keep this momentum going at the International Series Thailand (Mar 9-12)."
The other Malaysians competing in Qatar, Shahriffuddin Ariffin (77-77) and Nicholas Fung (81-75), did not make it to the weekend.