Thomas just misses Asia-Pacific crown

Rayhan Thomas’s sensational bid to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) fell short by two shots yesterday, but he will have the consolation of leaving from Singapore with the silver medal.

At Sentosa Golf Club, the 18-year-old Indian, born and brought up in the UAE, shot a final-round four-under par 66 to finish joint runner-up at 11-under par 269 behind champion Takumi Kanaya of Japan. It was a remarkable comeback for the 2014 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit champion who started the tournament in disastrous fashion with a 74.

But over the next 54 holes, Thomas made just two bogeys and 17 birdies to zoom up the leader board with rounds of 64, 65 and 66. It was the best-ever finish by an Indian player in the decade-long championship.

“One thing I definitely learnt from this week is that you can’t win championship of this level after starting with a four-over round,” said Thomas. “Irrespective of my score, I loved every moment of this great championship and I am glad that I have the chance to come back again next year knowing that I have the ability to win it.

“The one thing I was really proud about was that I did not give up after that start. It also tells me that I have been right when I kept feeling that I have been playing really well these last few weeks, starting from the Asian Games. I just need to trust what I have with my swing right now and I am sure we will have some more good results in the near future.”