Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin produced a masterful performance to win the 3 million baht Singha Pattaya Open golf tournament by an emphatic six shot margin last weekend.
Kwanchai shot a one-over-par 73 in Sunday’s final round to complete a wire-to-wire victory at Burapha Golf Club and claim his second title on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
He finished with a four-round aggregate of 18-under-par 270 to claim the 435,000 baht first prize, while his compatriot Thanyakon Khrongpha carded a 68 to claim outright second place.
Kwanchai Tannin holds up the champion’s trophy after winning the 2013 Singha Pattaya Open golf tournament at Burapha Golf Club, Sunday, April 21. (Photo/All Thailand Golf Tour)
“I won by a lot of shots but it was hard from start to finish. It is a great feeling. This is a big event in my country,” said Kwanchai.
He had a nine shot lead ahead of countryman Thaworn Wiratchant at the start of the final day and although he could not buy a birdie he still won by a huge margin.
Ladies professional and amateur champions, Tap Palakawong Na Ayutthaya (left) and Pinyada Kuwanant (right) pose with their trophies. (Photo/All Thailand Golf Tour)
He made par on his first nine holes, and dropped just one shot on the homeward stretch on the 14th.
“It is not easy even with a big lead. I wasn’t sure how to play the round. I just held it together and did not make any big mistakes,” added Kwanchai, whose mother is the sister of top Thai golfer Prayad Marksaeng.
Kwanchai tasted victory on the ASEAN PGA Tour at the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia, and also has a number of Thai domestic events to his name.
He was coached in his formative years by Thai legend Boonchu Ruangkit – a player he is often likened to due to his stocky build and golf swing.
The Thai was eight ahead of Thanyakon at the turn and was able cruise home.
Thanyakon, who was second in the season opening Singha Esan Open, eagled the par-five 18th but that did little to dent Kwanchai’s lead.
“I finished 12 under, that’s great golf. I am playing well and hope to win soon,” said Thanyakon.
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat (68) and Panuwat Muenlek (70) took third place seven off the lead.
A stroke behind were defending champion Prom Meesawat (71), Thaworn (72) and Rattanon Wannasrichan (68). Prom has won this event for the past two years and in 2006.
In the Ladies competition, Tap Palakawong Na Ayutthaya carded a final round 70 to finish on a three round total of 211 (5-under par) for the championship and seven shots clear of the field to claim the 32,000 baht prize money. Pinyada Kuwanant finished on 8-over par 224 to win the amateur title.
The next event on the ASEAN PGA Tour is the Luang Prabang Laos Open. The US$100,000 tournament tees-off this week at Luang Prabang Golf Club from April 24 to 27.
It is the third of 12 events on this year’s ASEAN PGA Tour schedule.
(Source: aseanpgatour.com)
