Back-to-back victories for Chakansim
Suradit ahead in men’s event of Hua Hin Open
>> HUA HIN: Teenage amateur Chakansim Khamborn claimed back-to-back All Thailand Golf Tour titles after winning at the Singha Hua Hin Open in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
The 17-year-old Chakansim from Khon Kaen shot a closing 74 to finish on one-under 212 at the 200,000-baht women’s tournament at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course.
However the 32,000-baht winner’s cheque went to Nemittra Juntanaket, the best professional in field, who finished four shots behind after a 76.
Goonlacha Paiboonpong (72) finished third on 218 and took home 25,500 baht.
Chakansim won her maiden ATGT title at the Singha Classic in Nakhon Nayok a couple of weeks ago.
“I’m so happy to win today,” said Chakansim. “It’s my first time playing on this golf course and I won, so I’m feeling great.
“I didn’t feel any pressure coming into the last few holes as I kept telling myself to take it one hole at a time. And it worked!”
In the two-million-baht men’s event, rising star Suradit Yongcharoenchai surged to the top after the third round.
The 18-year-old from Nakhon Pathom fired a stunning nine-under 62, which included 10 birdies and a bogey, to move to 13-under 200.
He was two shots ahead of a chasing pack which included Prom Meesawat (66), Chawalit Plaphol (67), Sutijet Kooratanapisan (69) and overnight pacesetter Jazz Janewattananond (69).
Gunn Charoenkul, who shared a clubhouse lead with Jazz after the rain-hit second round, was a further stroke back on 203 after a 70.
Chapchai Nirat (67), Pawin Ingkhapradit (69) and Settee Prakongvech (69) shared seventh place on nine-under 204.
ATTHAYA STAYS TOP
Atthaya Thitikul maintained her lead for the second successive day at the Dutch Junior Open at Toxandria Golf Club in Breda on Friday.
The 14-year-old amateur shot a third-round 70 to move to 11-under 205, five shots ahead of Sweden’s Tilda Larsson who shot a 69.
Liu Yiyi (72) slipped to tied third alongside fellow Chinese Zhang Jingwen (70) on four-under 212.
Fellow Thai player Manuschaya Zeemakorn was 11th on three-over after a 73.
Atthaya became the youngest known winner of a professional golf tour event with a victory at the inaugural Ladies European Thailand Championship in Pattaya earlier this month.
In the boys’ event, Sadom Kaewkanjana shot a 70 to finish the third round on six-under 210, four shots behind leading duo of Bailey Gill (68) and Thomas Sloman (71), both from England.
Rory Franssen of Scotland (72) was third on 208, while Koen Kouwenaar of the Netherlands (65) was a further stroke back.
Another Thai Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (68) was three-under 213 after a 70.