Dasmarinas, Philippines: Quincy Quek of Singapore saved his best for last when he nailed an ace on the par-three 16th to close with seven-under-par 65 and capture his first professional win at the $60,000 ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship on Saturday.

The Singaporean signed off with a winning total of 12-under-par 276 to finish two shots ahead of Filipino Antonio Lascuna, Australian Scott Barr and compatriot Lam Zhiqun who shared second place on matching 278s at the Orchard Golf and Country Club.

Starting the day, six shots behind overnight leader Lascuna, Quek fired three birdies on his outward-nine to offset a bogey on the eighth. He began to stamp his mark with a clutch of birdies starting from the 11th to 13th before that magical ace on the 16th eventually helped to seal his maiden victory in the Philippines.

“The hole-in-one made me more nervous,” confessed the 25-year-old who pocketed the winner’s prize cheque of US$10,500.

“I did not know where I was in the standings at that time so I told myself to just play game and get more birdies if possible,” added Quek.

Quek would have stretched his advantage to three had he not missed a five-footer for birdie on the closing 18th hole.

“The last two holes were not easy ones.  I tried my best to get a birdie to end the round but it lipped out,” said Quek, who had to seek treatment for a wrist injury sustained since July 2010 by using all sorts of treatment from ranging from physiotherapy, Chinese medicine to acupuncture.

“There was discomfort playing with that kind condition and that's why I tried every treatment there was.  It’s nice to finally earn my breakthrough as a pro,” added the Singaporean.

Lascuna, who held the third round lead by one, simply could not finish the job.  He only had a lone birdie on the first hole to show for and his title challenge faded when he carded a bogey on the 14th hole which was a result of two short chip-ins.

“If I putted well in the first nine, I would have been comfortable in the last half.  But breaks did not go my way,” said Lascuna.

Lam, whose 63 on Friday had pushed him into contention for the title, followed up with a 68 for a share of second place.  He tried to chase the pack but the pressure got to him and his hopes were dashed after his bogey on the 16th.

“I guess the pressure was there also.  I wanted to give myself a title chance,” said Lam.

The ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship is the eighth leg of the ADT this season. The stature of the ADT will grow even more significantly in 2013 as it will receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Leading final round scores

276 - Quincy QUEK (SIN) 69-68-74-65
278 - LAM Zhiqun (SIN) 74-73-63-68, Scott BARR (AUS) 66-68-72-72 Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 67-71-67-73
280 - LIN Kuan-po (TPE) 72-69-73-66, Peter RICHARDSON (ENG) 72-70-67-71
281 - George THACKER (ENG) 66-71-73-71, Rufino BAYRON (PHI)70-69-69-73
282 - Ryan BULLOCH (AUS) 69-67-75-71
283 - Elmer SALVADOR (PHI) 71-71-71-70