Andrew Dodt stormed from four shots behind to deny fellow Australian Scott Hend and overwhelming home favourite Thongchai Jaidee and capture the inaugural co-sanctioned True Thailand Classic at Black Mountain.

Dodt, 28 completed a stunning return to the European Tour birding his opening three holes on route to a bogey-free 67 to finish at 18-under par.

The proud Gatton-born golfer had lost his Tour card at the end of last year but regained full playing rights at last year’s Tour School and had to wait anxiously as both Hend and Jaidee along with three others players sought to tie Dodt 72-hole tally.

Fellow Queenslander Hend spoilt his hope of a second European Tour success when he fell two shots behind with a bogey at 17 and while he birdied the last it was still one shot shy of forcing a play-off.

Jaidee was left ruing a 13th hole double bogey sandwiched either side of a birdie at 12 and then birdies at 14 and 15 but then dropping a shot at 16 while he failed to birdie the par five 18th.

Andrew Dodt, winner of the True Thailand Classic, poses with Miss Thailand, Nantawan Thongleng . (Photo – Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie)

The win is Dodt’s second European Tour win after he clinched the 2010 co-sanctioned Avantha Masters in India, and a victory that secured his European card.

Now Dodt has done virtually the same and also earning a two-year exemption to the end of 2017.

As well, it’s Dodt’s third pro career success on top of winning last year’s Isuzu Queensland Open, and it the 118th victory for an Australian-born player on the European Tour.

“I’m speechless – it’s just come out of nowhere,” said Dodt.

“I played really well yesterday and today but I just didn’t think I’d come out on top. I knew I was playing well but to come out and win is just a dream come true.

“To be honest, losing my card two years ago was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. I went home last year, spent 12 months at home, played the Asian Tour again, found myself again, found my game and to be in the winner’s circle again – it’s unbelievable.”

Tournament ambassador Jaidee had drawn level with Dodt with three holes to play, but three-putted the 16th for bogey, failed to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker for birdie at the next and, requiring a birdie at the last to force a play-off, he left his eagle putt eight feet short and missed the birdie effort.

Andrew Dodt proudly holds aloft the true Thailand Classic trophy. (Photo – Thos Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Hend went into the final round leading by a shot and went two with birdies at the second and fourth, but the big-hitter didn’t manage a further birdie and had three-putt bogeys at the seventh and 14th, as well as a dropped shot on the 17th where his front bunker shot flew the green and just stopped short from rolling in a water hazard at the back of the green.

“I pressed for the win on 17 and got a bit aggressive with my bunker shot, and I finished one shot behind. I came here to try to win,” he said.

“I thought Dodty was going to make birdie on 18 and I was only 15 under, so I thought I had to play an aggressive bunker shot. Unfortunately, I caught it a little too clean and bogeyed the hole.

“But all in all it was a good solid week and there are a lot of positives to take out of it. It’s good to see Dodty winning, fantastic. Obviously I wish it was me standing there winning, but congratulations to him – he’s played well over the weekend and all credit to him.

“There are a few things that I’ll sit down and discuss with my caddie, things I did incorrectly, and hopefully next time we can solidify it and walk off the last green as the champion.”

Dodt capitalised on his compatriot’s errors by following a hat-trick of birdies from the first with efforts from five feet at the 12th and 20 feet at the 15th.

Jaidee swiftly joined him at the top of the leaderboard, having initially taken a share of the lead with a birdie from five feet at the first.

A run of ten straight pars saw him lose ground, but the former paratrooper did make a gain from six feet at the 12th.

His challenge looked to be in jeopardy when he ran up a double bogey seven at the long next after finding the hazard with his second, but Jaidee responded with birdies from 15 feet at the 14th and tap-in range at the next following a brilliant approach.

But the 45 year old was left to rue his costly finish as he narrowly missed out on adding to his six European Tour titles with a closing 71.

“Overall I played well, but I made some mistakes with the club selection – especially on 13,” said Jaidee.

“I tried my best and it’s okay I finished second. Andrew was a deserving winner as he put up a great performance. I’ll try again the next time.

“I did not putt well at 18 – I didn’t stroke the ball hard enough and didn’t read the line well. But it was a good effort and I enjoyed the great support from the home crowd.”

Jaidee’s compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Canada’s Richard T Lee and American Jason Knutzon shared fourth on 14 under par.

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez’s bid to extend his own record as The European Tour’s oldest winner had started well with back-to-back birdies kicking off his fourth round, but the 51 year old Spaniard did not gain another shot all day as a 73 left him in a share of seventh.