CHEQUERED FLAG FOR SANDELIN IN BMW ASIAN OPEN

Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin won his first title on the European Tour in over two years today when he claimed the US$1.5 million BMW Asian Open at the Westin Resort Ta Shee.

The towering 34 year old, who was a stroke off the lead at the start of the day in the inaugural BMW event, fired a four-under-par 68 to beat Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee by a shot. Sandelin finished on 10-under-par 278 in an event also being joint-sanctioned with the Asian PGA-run Davidoff Tour.

Olazabal carded a 67, as did Thongchai who regained the lead on the Davidoff Tour Order of Merit with one event remaining next week in Hong Kong.

"This morning I felt very focused, and when I get that feeling I know I have a chance. I didn't say much as I was just really very focused. I hope I will have that feeling more often," said Sandelin, whose last victory was in the German Open in 1999.

"It's been two years of a lot of struggling. From now on I am going to take it one week at a time. Last season I finished 100th on the ranking so this season I want to take the two zeroes off," added the Swede.

Sandelin moved in front on the final day of the thanks to a front nine of four-under-par 32 but had Olazabal and Thongchai chasing him hard on the homeward stretch. The Swede had started the final round playing in the group behind Thongchai but he chose to play through when the Thai player's group were looking for a ball on the 14th.

"I made a decision on the 14th to play through but later I realised that was a mistake as it is better to be behind the man who is chasing you than to be in front of him," said Sandelin.

A close finish was set up when the Swede dropped a shot on 16 to fall back to 10 under and lead Thongchai by a stroke. Olazabal, playing further ahead, also moved one behind Sandelin and took the clubhouse lead thanks to a brilliant birdie on the par-three 18th.

Sandelin finished with two pars but had an anxious wait watching Thongchai play the 18th. However, the Thai star who left a birdie putt from 20 feet short on the 17th also saw his birdie attempt from 30 feet on 18 stop just short.

Said Thongchai: "Both putts were downhill so I didn't think I would leave them short. It was a little disappointing but it feels great to finish second."

In what is Asia's richest event Sandelin won US$242,200 while the runners up earned US$129,920 each. Thongchai's winnings allowed him to overtake Korea's Charlie Wi on the Merit list. The two Asian PGA stars had been paired together for the final two rounds of the BMW Asian Open but a final round 72 meant Wi finished equal 11th and moved to second on the Merit list.

"I am still not thinking about the Order of Merit. I take everything shot by shot. It's how I have been playing all year and that's why I have been playing so well," said Thongchai.

Olazabal just missed out on winning his second title of the year but was content with one of his best ball striking rounds for some time.

"It was a very good performance. I really played very solid today. I am very happy with the result. I made a couple of good putts on the golf course," said Olazabal.

"My driving was very good, I wish it could be like this every week. It's nice to have a good start to the season but I am more concerned about the way I am striking the ball. What I have been working on all year long was to strike the ball like I did this week. I hope I can play like this more often," said Olazabal.

Third round leader Carl Pettersson of Sweden finished in equal fourth place with England's Barry Lane after firing rounds of 72 and 69 respectively.

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, who also started the day in the lead, finished sixth with New Zealander Michael Campbell, who returned a best of the day 66.

278 - Jarmo Sandelin (SWE) 72-66-72-68

279 - José Maria Olazabal (ESP) 70-70-72-67,Thongchai Jaidee (THA)

74-70-68-67

281 - Carl Pettersson (SWE) 72-68-69-72, Barry Lane (ENG) 70-73-69-69

282 - Miguel Angel Jiménez (ESP) 70-69-70-73, Michael Campbell (NZL)

72-73-71-66

283 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 71-69-73-70, Stephen Dodd (WAL) 72-69-70-72

Brian Davis (ENG) 72-70-69-72

284 - Charlie Wi (KOR) 76-68-68-72, Rolf Muntz (NED) 72-70-73-69

Stephen Scahill (NZL) 70-71-74-69,

285 - Steve Webster (ENG) 76-71-70-68

286 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 75-68-71-72, Ted Oh (KOR) 72-73-72-69

Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 71-75-71-69

287 - Anders Forsbrand (SWE) 76-66-78-67, Kim Felton (AUS) 76-70-72-69

Adrian Percey (AUS) 74-70-71-72, Thomas Levet (FRA) 71-70-69-77

Unho Park (AUS) 71-71-72-73, Jamie Spence (ENG) 69-72-72-74

Phiiip Golding (ENG) 73-73-70-71, Gary Evans (ENG) 70-74-72-71

288 - Christian Cevaer (FRA) 75-68-76-69, James Kingston (RSA) 76-69-70-73

Nick Faldo (ENG) 73-70-74-71, Gregory Havret (FRA) 77-71-71-69

Wang Ter-Chang (TWN) 73-73-69-73