South Africa’s Darren Fichardt clinched victory at the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition after a composed, bogey-free final round 66 (-6), finishing at -19 to secure the title by a single shot on the West Course at the Vattanac Golf Resort in Cambodia.
Fichardt, the overnight leader heading into the final day, delivered a controlled performance built on patience – and a brilliant closing stretch that included decisive birdies on 15, 16 and 17 – to secure a maiden Legends Tour win. With rounds of 67, 64 and a flawless closing 66, his consistency across all three days proved decisive as he overhauled a charging Scott Hend and a stellar group of players behind him.
A trio shared third place at -15: Ryder Cup stars Jamie Donaldson and Jarmo Sandelin, plus Italy’s Emanuele Canonica. Australian Mark Brown and England’s Matt Cort were a further shot back at –14 after both carded superb rounds of 66.
Order of Merit leader Scott Hend looked set to claim a third title of the season, having taken charge with spectacular eagles on both the 8th and the 15th. He reached –19 with another birdie on 17 and a play-off seemed likely, but a costly three-putt bogey on 18 dropped him back and handed Fichardt the opportunity to close out the tournament with a par at the last.
Reflecting on his first Legends Tour title, Fichardt admitted the overwhelming emotion was relief. “I’ve won on most of the Tours I’ve played, so I’ve ticked those boxes — but to get my first win on the Legends Tour is unbelievable. This is my first one, and hopefully the first of many.
“I started really badly on the front nine — I was shocking. I got the wind wrong every single time. But I said to my wife ‘it’s the last six holes that count’. I made a really solid up-and-down on 14, then a great birdie on 15, holed an amazing putt on 16, and 17 was tidy too.”
Watching Hend surge ahead added tension. “I knew he’d eagled 15 to get to 18-under… I thought if I could get to 19-under, I might sneak a play-off. When I realised I only needed two putts for the win, I was relieved. Scott’s a fierce competitor — when he smells the lead, he doesn’t hold back.”
For Hend, there was at least the consolation of him claiming the 2025 Legends Tour Order of Merit title, with one event to spare. The Australian has enjoyed a stellar season that has included wins at the Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam and the European Legends Cup hosted by José María Olazábal, along with four other top-five finishes.
“Being paired with Bakes (Peter Baker) today, I knew if I could finish ahead of him I’d keep control going into Mauritius,” he said. “Fortunately the lead is now big enough that I’ve secured the Order of Merit. It’s a nice feeling. I’m disappointed not to win today, but the main goal was achieved. I set little goals throughout the year — finishing top 10, then getting a win, and then winning the Order of Merit. I like trophies, and I want to keep collecting them.”
Donaldson’s tidy 68 kept him in the hunt for most of the afternoon, while Sandelin — the first-round leader — continued his excellent form across all three rounds with a steady 69 in round three. Canonica delivered one of the rounds of the day with a brilliant 65 to secure a top-three finish.
Fichardt’s triumph caps a memorable week at Vattanac Golf Resort, with the West Course offering a demanding but fair championship test that rewarded precision, patience and world-class shot-making. The Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition concludes after three days of elite competition and a dramatic one-shot finish worthy of the championship stage.
The Legends Tour now moves on to Mauritius for the final tournament of the season, the MCB Mauritius Legends.
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