Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha posted a blistering eight-under-par 62 to secure victory on the final day of the Singha Pattaya Open, edging Wei-hsuan Wang (64) of Chinese Taipei by a single shot.

It was an emotional win for Pattaraphol, who put his golf career on hold for three years to care for his ailing mother, and has only recently restarted his membership on the Asian Development Tour.

The win in Pattaya has secured his entry in all events for the remainder of the ADT season and Pattaraphol said after his round that he dedicated his win to his mother’s memory and would be pursuing his dream to gain full status on the Asian Tour.

“I just tried to keep the ball in the fairway today, and my putter was working well. The birdie on the last hole was the best part,” he said after his winning round in the THB4 million event, which was co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Compatriot Natipong Srithong (65) made a strong charge up the leaderboard to briefly challenge Pattaraphol for the lead but three bogeys on the back nine dropped him into solo third despite six birdies and an eagle on the par-five second hole.

Second round leader Poom Saksansin (66) was always a threat but an even-par back nine put him out of contention, and he finished in a tie for fourth place on -16 with Malaysia’s Paul San (67).

Danthai Boonma, Phachara Khongwatmai and Thitipat Lem all posted rounds of four-under-par 66 to a share of sixth place with fellow Thai Sangchai Kaewcharoen (68) and Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung, who looked to be making a charge early on but a poor back nine saw him finish on 69.

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat (64) and Suradit Yongcharoenchai (63) finished in 11th place, together with Korea’s Heungchol Joo (69).

Natipong Srithong of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Overnight leader Woohyun Kim was unable to capitalise on his score from yesterday, opening with a bogey and a string of pars, eventually finishing the day with a 72 and a share of 14th spot. He was accompanied by Wocheng Ye (66) of China and Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (65), Weerawish Narkprachar (65) and Pawit Ingkhapradit (69).

Kosuke Hamamoto, winner of last week’s ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy and also one of the overnight leaders, had a disappointing day and a final score of 73 saw him drop to 19th spot, a position he shared with fellow Thais Tirawat Kaewsribandit (68), Nitithorn Thippong (70) and Charng-Tai Sudsom (71).

Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu had the best start of the day, eagling the first two holes and following up with a birdie on the third, before his ascent slowed, ending the day with a 67 and a share of 23rd place, together with Miguel Carballo 967) of Argentina, India’s Khalin Joshi 967), and Thai compatriots Amarin Kraivixien (66), Chapchai Nirat (67), Supraveee Phatam (69), Chayodom Chanjaruphong (71) and Kwanchai Tannin, who tied Pattaraphol for the low score of the day with 62.

The ADT season resumes next month in Indonesia with the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura, a 54 hole event at Gunung Geulis Country Club with a prize fund of US$125,000 which takes place from August 16-18.

Main picture: Pattaraphol Khanthacha of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.