Thailand’s Panuphol bags Indonesia Open crown

JAKARTA: Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat completed a total of 25 holes to secure victory and a US$54,000 (RM228,000) cheque in the rain-interrupted Indonesia Open.

The 24-year-old ended with a five-stroke win to move up to 14th place in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

Panuphol, 24, was leading on Saturday before the event was suspended due to heavy rain.

He returned on Sunday morning to finish the remaining seven holes from his third round, finishing

with a five-under 67 to lead by three shots heading into the final round.

Panuphol traded three birdies against a bogey for an outward 34, grabbing just a one-shot edge over compatriot Tirawat Kaewsiribandit, who closed in with four birdies, at the turn.

But Panuphol pulled ahead with three straight birdies from the 10th hole before adding two more birdies in his final five holes for a last-round 65 and a total of 23-under 265 at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.

“I tried to play every hole the same way and not think about the result and it works!” he said.

“I will keep that mentality going into the next couple of tournaments.”

Tirawat ended second with a second-straight 67 but said he was pleased.

“I am very happy. I know Panuphol is a very good player so I just played my own game and I tried my best. My putting on my back nine was not very good, but overall, I did well,” he said.

Thais Jazz Janewattananond and Namchok Tantipokhakul shared third place on 273 following respective rounds of 67 and 69.