The 10th Mercedes-Benz Junior Golf Asian Masters Final was recently held at the Burapha Golf & Resort in Chonburi province. A total of 155 golfers from 11 countries competed in the event, which saw 6 Thai golfers selected to represent the Mercedes-Benz junior golf team to compete in the Zhang Liang Wei Cup in Chengdu, China from 6–9 August this year. The six golfers in the team are Thitapa Pakdeesetiakul, Peerada Piddon, Chonnikant Chaiyasith, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, Prin Phikan and Thirawat Luangsuree.
The tournament which was played in good conditions saw a sudden death play-off in the boy’s 12 and under class with both Atiruj Winaicharoenchai and Parathakorn Suyarsi recording 4 under par scores of 212 over the 3 days of golf. Atiruj finally won the class on the 2nd play-off hole. In 3rd place on 213 was Tanapat Pichaikool, with Bhichayoot Sima-aree a further 5 strokes behind in 4th spot.
Winners at the 10th Mercedes-Benz Junior Golf Asian Masters pose with their trophies.
Thai golfers dominated the boy’s 14 and under class in what was a three way fight between Prin Phokan, Puwit Anupansuedsai and Ekthumrong Luanganuruk. Prin finished with a 4 over par total of 220, which was 2 strokes ahead of his rivals with Japan’s Taiga Miura in 4th spot.
It was another very tight finish in the boy’s18 and under class with Hong Kong resident Mizuno Shinichi’s total of 219 just edging out Thirawat Luangsuree by one stroke. Nattanon Khanthacha was 3rd and India’s Ankur Chadha took 4th spot.
A last day charge saw Pongsathorn Pengboonma capture the men’s 23 and under class, his one under par 71 gave him a combined total of 228 and victory by 2 strokes over Steven Lam from Hong Kong, with Zin Min Thu of Myanmar in 3rd place and Winthai Wiwatsanitchai in 4th position.
In the girl’s classes, honours were even between the local players and the overseas entrants. In the girls 12 and under class, the local girls completely dominated, with 5 Thai golfers separated by only 2 strokes at the end of 3 days. Thitapa Pakdeesetiakul won with a score of 232, one stroke ahead of Thanyawarat Temyord, with the fast finishing Nicha Vorrasanpisut and Bhenyapa Buranasiri in 3rd and 4th spots on 234.
Peerada Piddon ran away with the 14 and under class, finishing a whopping 8 strokes ahead of Michelle Lee of Hong Kong, with Piyatida Sararat a further 2 strokes behind in 3rd place.
Myanmar’s Yin May Myo captured the 18 and under class finishing on 233, one stroke ahead of Chonnikant Chaiyasith who carded a score of 234. Her final round charge of 74 left her just short of taking the title. Sirapassorn Cheepborisut finished in 3rd place on 239.
The women’s 23 and under class was dominated by the overseas golfers who took the top 3 places. Ma Chia Mei of Taiwan was the winner with a score of 239, followed by May OO Khine of Myanmar 2 strokes away in 2nd spot and Magsino Jean Alexandra of the Philippines in 3rd place.
The Mercedes-Benz Asian Masters Final was supported by Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited, PTT Public Company Limited, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Grand Prix International Co., Ltd, Thansettakij, Nike Golf, Lacoste and Burapha Golf & Resort.
