The Thai produced a clutch four-foot birdie putt on the final hole to complete a wire-to-wire victory at Linkou International Golf & Country Club, closing with a six-under 66 for a 25-under total.

Higa matched his playing partner’s final-round score but could not find the birdie he needed on the 18th, finishing runner-up as Tangkamolprasert finally added to his Asian Tour titles at the Sabah Masters in 2019 and Macau Open in 2016.

Chinese-Taipei’s Chien-yao Hung finished third on his own at 24-under after a closing 65, while compatriot Wei-hsuan Wang and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond shared fourth.

Pavit could hardly have wished for a better start to the final round, eagling the opening hole to extend his lead. Remarkably, he played the par-five seven-under for the week, making three eagles and a birdie.

He looked set for a more comfortable victory before the drama arrived late.

Three ahead with six holes to play, Pavit was chasing a slice of Asian Tour history as he attempted to become the first player to complete 72 holes without a bogey.

That disappeared on the 13th when he dropped a shot, before Higa birdied the hole to cut the lead to one. Another Higa birdie on the 14th then levelled the scores with four holes remaining.

Neither player could separate themselves on the 17th, leaving the title to be decided on the last.

Pavit reached the front of the green in two, while Higa’s second found a greenside bunker. Higa splashed out to 20 feet, while Pavit chipped to four feet.

Higa narrowly missed his birdie attempt before Pavit rolled in the winner to seal his long-awaited victory.

“You know, words can’t describe this week’s game,” said the 37-year-old.

“I think this is the most solid tournament I’ve played all year. I made only one bogey out of 72 holes, which is very fantastic. But yeah, a lot of low rounds. Still, I had to make the shots because the defending champion Kazuki Higa and me were playing together. He kept coming.”

Pavit described the closing birdie as the “best birdie of my life”.

The victory was made even more special by the presence of his wife, Thai LPGA professional Chorphaka Jaengjit, with the pair celebrating their 20th anniversary during the week.

Asked how they would celebrate, Pavit said: “Well, let's see if she wants shabu. I think not only my wife, me and all my Thai friends are waiting and then they're all gonna ask ‘Hey, where are you going for dinner?’ I think I'll let them choose.”

The win caps a strong season for Pavit, who had already finished runner-up at the Philippine Golf Championship and International Series Japan.

For Higa, the result was his best of the year on the Asian Tour, despite falling short of becoming the first player to successfully defend the Yeangder TPC.

“Thought I would just add some pressure to the other competitors like Pavit today,” he said.

“I didn't hit a good tee shot on the last, second shot I thought I hit it good, but it went into the bunker. I thought my bunker shots were the strongest part of my game but this week I was in the bunker four times and I only hit one good one. That was disappointing.”

Australian Travis Smyth, who began the week leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit, finished with a 70 to slip to second on the standings.

The Asian Tour remains in Chinese-Taipei next week for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.