Crans Montana, Switzerland: Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee underlined his credentials as one of Asia’s best players when he posted his week’s best score of six-under-par 65 to emerge as the best-placed Asian following the conclusion of the Omega European Masters on Sunday.

The decorated Thai ace, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, was simply in a class of his own as he mixed eight birdies against a double-bogey to close his Swiss campaign with a four-day total of 12-under-par272.

“I played really well today and I only made one mistake on the 16th but other than that, it was a good comeback for me. I holed a couple of long putts today and that gave me lots of confidence,” said the 13-time Asian Tour winner.

The week did not get off to a fine start for Thongchai when he was overlooked by Nick Price as one of his captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup International Team.

However, he responded well and showed his true potential at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club by putting on a gallant performance among the game’s heavyweights at the Omega European Masters, which is the only tournament on European soil to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

The 43-year-old could have even been in the mix and battling it out for his second win on European soil had the weather conditions been more favourable on Saturday.

“It was a good week for me especially with today’s 65. It could have been even better if not for yesterday’s score. I shot a 70 as the conditions were tough with the strong winds swirling,” said Thongchai.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who was among Thailand’s other hopefuls, closed with a 68 while Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Chapchai Nirat signed off with scores of 69 and 70 respectively at the €2.1 million, approximately US$2.8 million showpiece event in Crans Montana.