Amateur Ramil prevails in epic duel to win mixed title
Amateur Ramil Saelim outlasted Phannarai Meesom-us on the fifth play-off hole to win the third leg of the threemillion-baht Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Cha-am yesterday.
The 16-year-old boy from Phitsanulok and the 17-year-old girl from Chon Buri were neck-and-neck as each dominated the leaderboard on 13-under 275 after 72 holes in regulation.
Both were made to play four extra holes, but neither was able to gain the upper hand.
It wasn’t until the fifth duel on the 18th hole that the Lady Luck finally chose the winner. Pannarai’s five-foot par putt curled around the hole but never sank in. Ramil then sent home a two-foot par putt to seal the victory — his best result up to date.
“I’m so proud of myself to hit 13 under. I was training hard for this match and I’m happy that it paid off,” said Ramil who signed off with a final round 67.
Ramil just won the TrustGolf amateur qualifier event at the same course last week which earned him a berth in this pro event. Ramil is also a student of four-time Asian Tour winner Chapchai Nirat whose late bogey cost him the chance for the play-off with his protege.
However, due to his amateur status, Ramil was not eligible for the winner’s cheque of 450,000 baht which automatically ended up in the hands of Phannarai.
Chapchai, co-winner of the previous Thailand Mixed event in April, suffered a last-hole bogey which deprived him of the play-off chance.
The former Asian Tour star, after an inconsistent round yesterday, settled for a 72 and a total 12-under 276 for joint third along with 17-year-old girl Chanaettee Wannasaen and Thai LPGA member Chommapat Pongthanarak.