Korea’s K.T. Kim ended a frustrating three-year wait for victory by claiming the Singha Corporation Thailand Open title last Sunday after a thrilling head-to-head battle with his young compatriot Wang Jeunghun.
Kim shot a final round seven-under-par 65 on the Plantation Course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya to beat Wang by three shots and finish with an impressive winning total of 21 under.
Wang fired a 67 in the US$1 million event jointly-sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
Korea’s KT Kim poses with the trophy after winning the Singha Thailand Open golf championship at Siam Country Club Plantation Course, Sunday, June 14. (Photo/Paul Lakatos/OneAsia)
Australian Joshua Younger, the leader at the start of the day, returned a 73 to claim sole possession of third place four shots further back.
“Today I had luck with me that made me a champion,” said Kim. The delighted 28-year-old said that three years ago he tried to adapt his game to play in the United States but the swing change backfired.
“The last three years I did not do well because I wanted to go to America and I thought if I had 20 more yards (in length) I would have a chance to win over there,” added Kim. “I changed my swing and my rhythm and it changed my results. From there, I tried changing back to my usual swing but it took quite a while. This year I asked my coach to help me and now I have a good mental image of my swing – so that is why I am doing well.”
Wang Jeunghun of Korea tees off during the final round. (Photo/Paul Lakatos/OneAsia)
Last Sunday at the turn, Wang, who is just 19 years old, was one stroke ahead of playing partner Kim. The former went out in six-under-par 30, including birdies on eight and nine, while Kim’s four under par front nine was nearly as impressive.
It was a two horse race all the way and they were tied with just two holes to play. Kim showed his class and experience by making birdie on the last two holes while Wang finished with a par and bogey.
Jazz Janewattananond finished as the leading Thai golfer by closing with 72 to tie for fourth with Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato, who came in with a 68.
