Phachara lands Singha title after play-off
Phachara Khongwatmai sank an eagle putt on the first play-off hole against Prayad Marksaeng to win the Singha Masters 2018 at Santiburi Country Club yesterday.
Taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the five-million-baht tournament, the 18-year-old Songkhla native, who was runner-up here last year, buried a lastgasp eagle at the 18th hole to earn himself a play-off shot against Prayad, who is 34 years his senior.
Both players finished on 18-under 270 after 72 holes and had to return to the 18th tee for play-offs.
The two landed their second shot on the green but while Prayad missed his eagle attempt, his young opponent buried the putt to the loud cheers from the crowd.
Phachara took home the 750,000-baht winner’s cheque for his fourth win on the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Prayad, who was five shots off the lead after three rounds, shot up the leaderboard with an impressive six-under 66 yesterday.
The Hua Hin native just fell short of winning his seventh Singha Masters and 20th ATGT victory and took home a consolation prize of 462,500 baht.
The third place went to last year’s champion Panuphol Pittayarat (69) and American Johannes Veerman (66). They each got 258,750 baht.
Phachara said that he was not really confident of winning the title up until the late eagle that forced the play-off.
“I love this final hole because I played really well there twice this week and then in the play-off, I made that eagle putt again,” said Phachara, who added that he will concentrate on all three fronts this season.
“This year, I will continue to focus on the European Tour, Asian Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour.”
Thanyakorn Khrongpha (69) was fifth on 16-under 272 while Udorn Duangdecha (67) was a stroke further back on 15 under.
In the 300,000-baht women’s event, Kamonwan Luamsri (72) took home the title after finishing on five-over-293, one shot ahead of Trichat Cheenglab (75).
Kamonwan received 70,000 baht while Tricha earned 45,000 baht.
Chakansim Khamborn (72) and Pinrath Loomboonruang (78) finished third and fourth respectively.
The third leg of the All Thailand Golf Tour will be the Singha Hua Hin Open at the Royal Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan from April 5 to 8. (Thai unless stated, par-72)
Men
270 — Phachara Khongwatmai 67-67-65-71 (won in play-off), Prayad Marksaeng 66-67-71-66
271 — Johannes Veerman (USA) 70-65-70-66, Panuphol Pittayarat 69-66-67-69
272 — Thanyakorn Khrongpha 67-69-67-69
273 — Udorn Duangdecha 70-70-66-6
274 — Piya Swangarunporn 71-64-71-68, Simon Yates (SCO) 69-69-66-70
276 — Danthai Boonma 67-69-70-70
277 — Namchok Tantiphokakul 71-68-70-68
Women
293 — Kamonwan Luamsri 72-73-76-72 294 — Trichat Cheenglab 75-73-71-75 295 — Chakansim Khamborn 73-74-76-72