What a way for Lee Westwood to finish off the old year and enter a new one.

Lee guaranteed himself the best possible Christmas by following his win at the Nedbank in Sun City with an inaugural triumph at the Thailand Golf Championship.

And he did it by playing the best golf of his life – following a first round personal record 60 with a 64 in the second to open up a lead which eventually proved unassailable.

Not that Charl Schwartzel let Lee have it all his own way before eventually succumbing to the now world No.2

The Masters champion whittled away at Lee’s lead so much that an eleven-stroke advantage turned into just two during the last round. But Lee refused to be ruffled and went on to complete his second win in three starts and fourth overall for the season while Charl closed as runner up.

There were plenty of other ISM players close to the top of the leader board with Simon Dyson finishing fourth and both birthday boy Jeev Milkha Singh and Gregory Bourdy not far behind. It was a great effort from our boys in what was an outstanding tournament.

Congratulations also go to our European Tour School graduates Branden Grace, Matt Nixon and Scott Pinckney. Branden and Matt were always in the hunt for cards, but Scott left it late in what was his 22nd round trying to earn playing privileges.

The American showed just how determined he is to succeed when he improved a remarkable 42 places in the last round with a magnificent closing 65.

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Peter Uihlein. The 22-year-old USGA Amateur champion of 2010 and former world number one turned professional this week, asked us to represent him and will make his debut in Abu Dhabi next year. A bright future promises.