Chanachok steals title after play-off drama
Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol defeated Pavit Tangkamolprasert in a play-off to claim his maiden professional title at the Singha Championship at the Rayong Green Valley Country Club yesterday.
The 23-year-old from Tak province tied overnight leader Pavit on 15-under 269 at the end of the fourth round of the twomillion-baht All Thailand Golf Tour event.
Chanachok received 300,000 baht for his winning performance while Pavit took home 185,000 baht.
Poom Saksaensin was third on 12-under 272, while Chapchai Nirat and Udorn Duangdecha shared fourth place on 10-under 274.
Chanachok, who was named rookie of the year last season, shot a two-under 69 yesterday, while Pavit, who was four shots in front at the start of the round, finished with a disappointing two-over 73.
Chanachok had a roller-coaster front nine which saw him suffer three bogeys on holes Nos.1, 2 and 7 against two birdies on 4 and 8. He improved on the return trip with three birdies on 10, 15 and 17 to force the play-off with Pavit, who bogeyed sixth, 13th, 14th and 16th and had only two birdies on 10 and 17.
Both Chanachok and Pavit hit their second shots onto the green of the par-four 18th hole. Pavit missed his birdie putt, while Chanachok nailed his 21-foot effort to seal his first title since turning pro in 2014.
Chanachok said: “I had a bad start today with two successive bogeys. At that stage I knew I was six shots behind but I wasn’t panicking. I was just focusing on my game and not thinking too much about how far behind I was.
“By the 16th hole, I was level with him [Pavit] and I knew that I had a chance to win because I was putting so well on the back nine.”
Meanwhile Pavit suffered a stomach upset after the third round on Saturday and had to spend the night at the hospital.
“I tried my best today but physically I wasn’t quite there,” said Pavit. “I would like to congratulate Chanachok. He was brilliant on the back nine.”
Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng, who finished with an even-par 284, was the best amateur. The 20-year-old received the Supaporn Mapuengpong trophy and earned the ticket to play at the Asian Tour’s Queen’s Cup tournament at Santiburi Samui Country Club later this year.