Atthaya schools competition in Dutch Open victory
Teen phenom Atthaya Thitikul continued her great run of form after firing a course record nine-under 63 to win the girls’ event at the Dutch Junior Open at Toxandria Golf Club in Breda on Saturday.
Atthaya, who turned 14 in February, became the youngest known winner of a professional golf tour event with her victory at the inaugural Ladies European Thailand Championship in Pattaya earlier this month.
Atthaya, from Ratchaburi, shot 10 birdies against a single bogey in her final round on Saturday to finish on tournamentrecord 20-under 268, eight shots ahead of Tilda Larsson of Sweden, who hit a finalround 68.
China’s Zhang Jingwen (71) claimed third place after finishing on five-under 283.
The victory also handed Atthaya a spot at the South African Women’s Open, a Ladies European Tour event.
Fellow Thai Manuschaya Zeemakorn finished eighth on two-over 290 after a 71.
Atthaya is the fourth Thai winner of the girls’ tournament after Thidapa Suwannapura (2010), Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (2014) and Pimnipa Panthong (2015).
In the boys’ event, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (67) finished tied for fifth on eightunder 280, while Sadom Kaewkanjana shot a closing 71 and was joint seventh on seven-under 281.
Thomas Sloman of England shot a 69 to win the title on 13-under 275.
The tournament featured 160 top junior golfers from 15 countries.
BREAKTHROUGH FOR SURADIT
Suradit Yongcharoenchai claimed his breakthrough win at the two-millionbaht Singha Hua Hin Open in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
The 18-year-old rising star from Nakhon Pathom shot a three-under-par 68 for 16-under 268 at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course.
He took home the 300,000-baht winner’s cheque from the All Thailand Golf Tour event.
Overnight leader Suradit had four birdies on Nos.1, 7, 12 and 15 and a bogey on No.14.
“It’s a great feeling to have finally won my first pro title,” said Suradit. “I came close on several occasions and I think I learned a lot from that.
“I felt a bit under pressure coming into the final round, but the fact that I was paired with Prom [Meesawat] and Chawalit [Plaphol], who I know well, helped me relax.
“It was a bit tense at 15 where I was just one stroke ahead. But Chawalit dropped a shot on the next hole. So it was easier for me on my last two holes,” said Suradit, who added that he will take a week off before heading to India to compete at the TAKE Solutions Masters, an Asian Tour event.
Jazz Janewattananond (68) and Chawalit (68) shared second place on 14-under 270. Each received 149,500 baht.
Chapchai Nirat (67) and Gunn Charoenkul (68) were a further stroke back tied for fourth.
Kammalas Namuangruk was the best amateur with a total score of three-under 281. Kammalas, a member of the SEA Games national team, was a joint first round leader.
LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES
(Par-71)
268 — Suradit Yongcharoenchai 68-70-62-68
270 — Jazz Janewattananond 65-68-69-68, Chawalit Plaphol 68-67-67-68
271 — Chapchai Nirat 68-69-67-67, Gunn Charoenkul 67-66-70-68
272 — Prom Meesawat 71-65-66-70, Danthai Boonma 67-71-69-65, Settee Prakongvech 68-67-69-68
273 — Itthipat Buranatanyarat 71-65-70-67, Pawin Ingkhapradit 68-67-69-69, Meechok Phantharak 69-72-68-64
274 — Sutijet Kooratanapisan 68-65-69-72, Ratchapol Jantavara 70-68-68-68