Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat carded an impressive final round 63 to overhaul Baek Seuk-Hun and claim victory in the 2013 Singha Masters, held at the Santiburi Country Club in Chiang Rai from Jan. 31 – Feb. 3.
Trailing overnight leader Baek Seuk-Hun by one shot going into the day’s play, Kiradech opened with a blistering front nine 31 as he reeled off 5 successive birdies from the third hole onwards. The Thai star then added 4 more birdies on the back-nine stretch in a bogey free round that saw him finish the tournament on 25-under par.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat plays an approach shot during his final round at the 14th Singha Masters golf tournament held at the Santiburi Country Club in Chiang Rai, Sunday, Feb. 3. (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Baek had to be content with second place after his final round 66 left him 2 shots adrift on 23-under par.
Lee Sung from South Korea and Thailand’s Sutjet Kooratanapisan tied for third place after both carded final round 66’s to finish on 18-under-par 270, while defending champion defending champion Prayad Marksaeng was left some way back in sixth on 15-under.
Kiradech took home 600,000 baht for his second win on the Singha All Thailand Tour, while Baek received 362,000 baht.
Thidapa Suwannapura was crowned champion in the women’s tournament despite struggling home on the last day with a 2-over par 74. Thidapa finished the tournament on a total of 6-under 282 to claim the first prize of 70,000 baht. Porani Chutichai and Jaruporn Palakawong Na Ayutthaya shared second place just one shot behind on 5-under.
The 14th Singha Masters marked the final leg of the 2012 All Thailand Tour. The 2013 season gets underway this month with the Singha Esan Open at the Singha Park Golf Club, Khon Kaen from Feb. 14-17 before moving onto Pattaya and Hua Hin. The Singha Chiang Mai Open will be held this year from August 8-11 at a venue yet to be confirmed.
