The recently held Mercedes-Benz Junior Golf Asian Masters Final, held at Pattaya’s Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club from June 11-13, saw young Thai golfers take out 5 of the 8 classes in the competition.
With the weather remaining cool throughout the tournament the conditions were perfect, which was reflected in the low scores returned by many of the golfers. The tournament, which is in its 12th year, pitted the top local junior golfers from the Thailand qualifying rounds against some of the best golfers from around the Asian region in 3 days of competition.
Winners and runners-up pose with their trophies at the conclusion of the 3-day tournament.
In the Boys 12 and under class Phasin Vichitcharoenpaisarn carded a 13 under par 3-round total of 203 to win by 2 strokes from Nattabutara Sornkaew, who finished 11 under par on 205. A further 3 strokes away in 3rd place was Cholnan Nunya with an 8 under par accumulated total of 208.
In the Girls 12 and under class the winner was Malaysia’s Ng Yu Xuen who finished 4 under par on 212. She came home 2 strokes in front of Atthaya Thitikul who carded 214 with Arpichaya Yubol a further 6 strokes behind on 220.
Phasin Vichitcharoenpaisarn putts on his way to winning the boys 12 and under class.
In the Boys 14 and under class Atiruj Winaicharoenchai totally dominated the field from the first day and finished 13 strokes ahead of his nearest rival. He finished on an 11 under par score of 205 while trailing in behind him in 2nd place was Tanapat Pichaikool on 218 and in third spot was Ekpharit Wu on 220.
The Girls 14 and under class was much more competitive and the winner was only decided on the final 3 holes. In a three-way tussle Tunrada Piddon came out on top after carding 235 over the 3 days, which was 2 strokes ahead of Nicha Vorrasanapisut who took second on count-back from Japan’s Fuka Higashi, both girls finishing on 237.
The Boys 17 and under class was also highly competitive and in another 3-way fight the result went down to the last hole, with Sangchai Kaewcharoen emerging victorious with a 3 under total of 213 to give him the win by one stroke from Japan’s Koichiro Ishika. Ishika took second on a count-back over Nitithorn Thippong after both players carded 2 under par totals of 214.
Atiruj Winaicharoenchai dominated the boys 14 and under class to win by 13 strokes.
The Girls 17 and under class did not produce the same level of excitement as the boys class. Pattaraporn Mounchoo ran out a comfortable winner, carding a total of 233, which was 3 strokes ahead of Pirada Svastivat Na Ayuthya, with Nattavadee Khunsri finishing a distant third on 244.
Both the Boys and Girls 23 and under classes went to golfers from Myanmar. In the Boy’s class Kyat Thet Oo, who finished on a 1 under par 215, led his compatriot home Zin Min Thu by a whopping 14 strokes while finishing third on the count-back was Poovadol Leeartharn, after both players finished level on 229.
Some of the region’s best junior golfers pose for a group photo at Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club.
In the Girls 23 and under class there was a 2-way tussle between Yin May Myo and Tip-arda Manit. In the end Yin May Myo just edged it with a combined total of 230, giving her a 2 stroke margin over Tip-arda who finished on 232. Third place went to Paphada Wongwaikijphaisarn who finished a further 8 strokes away on 240.
The new season for the Mercedes-Benz Junior Golf Championships starts on the 23-24 August with the first of 8 qualifying rounds and finishes with the 2015 Asian Masters Final, which will again be held at the Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club from 10–12 June 2015.
