Thailand’s Napat nails it with some style
THAILAND’S Napat Paramacharoenroj produced a stylish finish to claim victory in the 11th Faldo Series Asia grand final.
With six-time Major champion Nick Faldo watching the action, Napat, whose nickname is Toy, buried a 35-foot birdie putt on the final green at Laguna Lang Co Golf Club in Danang, Vietnam for a closing three-under-par 68 in the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event.
That effort gave the young Thai a 54-hole eight-under 205 total and a one-stroke win over Indonesian Jonathan Wijono, who was left to rue a double-bogey six at the 16th.
A further stroke back in third was Australian Daniel Gale on 207 with first round leader Mohammad Rasel of Bangladesh in fourth place, yet another shot adrift. Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hau was fifth on 209.
“It’s been a memorable week for me,” said Napat. “My thanks to Mr Faldo for providing us this opportunity to play here.
“This is certainly one of the highlights of my golfing career so far,” added the 15-year-old, who is only the second Thai to win the Faldo Series Asia grand final, following Nakarin Ratanakul’s triumph at Mission Hills China in the inaugural event in 2007.
Faldo, who hosted players from 20 countries at Lang Co said: “Congratulations to Khun Toy. He showed tremendous skill and composure. To make a birdie to win under such intense pressure at the final hole was commendable. He is a worthy champion.”
In the girls’ division, Chinese Taipei’s Hung Jo-hua carded a last day 72 to clinch the under-21 title. She finished the leading overall female with a 213 total.
The other age group winners were Japan’s Minori Nagano (girls under-16), Indonesian Almay Rayhan (boys under-18) and Australian Daniel Gale (boys under-21).
Napat will be granted an exemption into an Asian Tour event, while Hung will get a start on the Ladies European Tour.