Thailand target 2018 Asian Games gold
Thailand’s male golfers are looking forward to further success at next year’s Asian Games after sweeping the team and individual titles at the Nomura Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
The team arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday and was greeted by Rangsrid Luxitanonda, president of the Thailand Golf Association.
Kammalas Namuangruk, Sadom Kaewkanjana, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai and Kosuke Hamamoto teamed up to secure Thailand’s breakthrough title at the 28th edition of the Asia-Pacific Golf Team Championship.
The quartet cruised to a massive victory over nine-time champions and title-holders Japan, who finished second and 10-time winners Australia, who came in third.
Kamalas also took home the individual crown at the biennial amateur golf event which began in 1963. He defeated Japanese rival Kazuya Osawa by a single stroke.
“We are happy and honoured to help enhance the country’s reputation,” said Japanese-Thai Kosuke.
“We will work harder for the bigger tournament — next year’s Asian Games.”
Rangsrid said: “We are in the right direction. Our next target is the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. We will try to win a gold medal.”
Thailand won its first Asian Games medals in golf at the 2014 Games in Incheon, South Korea.
However, on the men’s side Danthai Boonma was Thailand’s only successful player with a bronze medal.
The women claimed gold in the team competition and got a silver and a bronze in the individual event.
Meanwhile, Moriya Jutanugarn has moved up four spots to 21st place in the latest women’s golf rankings published yesterday.
Her rise came after she finished second behind China’s Feng Shanshan at the Blue Bay LPGA in Hainan on Saturday.
With the victory, Feng became the first Chinese to reach the top of the world rankings.
“I’m really, really excited and very proud of myself and I think it’s special because I won this tournament to become world No.1,” said the Chinese star.
“I finished first in China, so I actually claimed the world No.1 spot in front of all the people at home.”
Ariya, Moriya’s younger sister, remains at No.9.