Thai 16-year-old overwhelmed by Open spot
Stunning round helps Phachara finish ahead of Watson, Kaymer
Teenage Thai sensation Phachara Khongwatmai was pinching himself yesterday after sensationally qualifying for next year’s British Open with a stunning final round at the Thailand Golf Championship.
“I’m now overwhelmed with happiness as I get to play in The Open next year,” said the 16-year-old, who shot a final day six-under 66 Sunday to finish ahead of double Major champions Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer and grab the fourth and final place up for grabs in the world’s oldest major. Phachara’s total of 13-under-par 275 gave him sole possession of sixth spot, one shot ahead of Kaymer and fully five better than Watson.
It was a completely unexpected bonus for Phachara, who only secured his place in the Thai Golf Championship field after scraping through local qualifying.
Very happy
“I came through the qualifiers yesterday and I was already very happy to be given a chance to play with the top stars this week. I surprised even myself to finish so well,” said Phachara.
It is not the first time that the precocious Phachara has made headlines.
In July 2013 he won the Asean PGA Tour’s Sing Hua Hin Open in Thailand to become the youngest player in history to win a professional tour event.
He was just 14 years and two months of age at the time, almost seven months younger than women’s golf sensation Lydia Ko when she won the New South Wales Open in 2012, also as a 14-year-old amateur.
“I played without much expectations and I guess that was the key to playing so well today,” said Phachara after his round.
Phachara’s $33,300 (Dh121,189) prize money propelled him up to 65th in the Asian Tour Order of Merit with one event remaining, giving him hope of getting inside the top 63 who will retain their Tour card for 2016. “Hopefully this result will help me in my final push to secure for my Asian Tour card next week,” said the young Thai, who will tee off at the season-ending Philippines Open on Thursday.