Six jostling for advantage in Pattaya
Overnight leader Waris Manthorn ended up fighting for position on tomorrow’s tee-time after his round today, as five others joined him at the top of the leaderboard on nine-under-par at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy.
Shinichi Mizuno of Japan was the first to post his score after an early start at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya. He was joined later in the day by an exclusively Thai group comprising Sarun Sirithon, Kasuke Hamamoto, Runchanapong Youprayong, late starter Waris and Witchayapat Sinsrang.
Singapore’s Abdul Hadi pictured in action at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
The inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour is being played on the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, with a prize fund of THB3 million. The event is being played from July 6-9.
Abdul Hadi of Singapore joined Thailand’s Poom Saksansin and Wongsakorn Pikunsawat in a share of seventh place on eight-under-par, after all shot rounds of five-under-par 66.
In tenth place, on -7, Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines and Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei are grouped with Thailand’s Kittiporn Javanapong, Charng-Tai Sudsom and Sangchai Kaewcharoen.
Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Pol Kemarat, who started the day at two-over-par, posted the low round of the day with a bogey-free, eight-under-par 63 and joined a group in fifteenth place on -6, together with international players Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong, Malaysia’s Shariffuddin Ariffin and English duo William Harrold and Joe Heraty.
Also on -6 are Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn, Nattaphong Ratchatorn, Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng, Natipong Srithong and Pattaraphol Khanthacha.
Sixty-one players made the cut at -3, including Chikkarangappa S of India, South Africa’s MJ Viljoen, Wocheng Ye of China and Thai Asian Tour regulars Prom Meesawat, Chapchai Nirat, Settee Prakongvech and Suradit Yongcharoenchai who all made it on the number.
Main picture: Shinichi Mizuno of Japan pictured in action at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Thailand’s Waris Manthorn nudged his way into an early lead at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy today, concluding his round in the late afternoon to post a one shot lead with a seven-under-par 64.
Playing in the last group off the tee on Thursday, Waris dropped just the one shot and with four birdies on each nine setting him up nicely for an early start tomorrow.
Yu-cheng Ho of Chinese Taipei set the pace in the morning wave as play got underway at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya. He was joined later in the day at six under par by Shinichi Mizuno of Japan and Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto and Kittiporn Javanapong.
Yucheng Ho of Chinese Taipei pictured in action at the inaugural ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy in Pattaya. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Combining the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, the inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour boasts a full field of 144 players and carries a prize fund of THB 3 million. The event is being played from July 6-9.
As to be expected, a strong Thai contingent made up the bulk of the first day’s leading rounds, with the experienced Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Phachara Khongwatmai finishing the day at five under par, together with compatriot Charng-Tai Sudsom.
England’s William Harrold, who threatened the lead early before a double bogey on his back nine slowed progress, completes the group in fifth place.
China’s Wocheng Ye and South Africa’s MJ Viljoen, together with Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei are among the international players in a group in tenth spot on four under. They are accompanied by Thai players Piya Sawangarunporm, Nattawat Suvajanakorn, Pattaraphol Khanthacha and Rattanon Wannasrichan, together with KK Limbhasut and Sarun Sirithon, winner of the Laguna Phuket Cup last season.
Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the inaugural ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy in Pattaya. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Singapore’s Abdul Hadi started well with an eagle on his first hole, but he was unable to sustain momentum and slipped down the field as his round continued. He sits in a group sharing 20th place, together with fellow international players Chikkarangappa S of India, Filip Lundell of Sweden and the Filipino duo of Justin Quiban and Lloyd Jefferson Go
Notable Thai players also on three under par include Panuphol Pittayart, Poom Saksansin, Natipong Srithong and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan.
Shariffuddin Ariffin of Malaysia, who wan last year’s PKNS Selangor Masters at Kebab Golf Seri Selangor last year, is also tied for 20th at three under.
Main picture: Leader Waris Manthorn of Thailand pictured in action at the inaugural ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy in Pattaya. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhan Putra faced down Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat in a close-fought duel at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open yesterday, the pair matching each other shot for shot for most of the round before Naraajie was able to secure an edge in the rain.
Play was stopped twice in the early afternoon and Naraajie was able to press home the advantage, shooting 64 to lead by three strokes on -15. Chapchai was up by two shots on the day at the start of the back nine but double bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes saw him finish with a 68 and solo second on -12.
“I’m really happy with my game this week,” said Naraajie after his round. “Driving and irons have been good, and also the putting. I made a lot of putts inside 12 feet today so I’m pleased with how things are going.”
“It’s been wet today, we had a couple of breaks for rain. It’s playing different than last year, they cut the rough so it’s changed how the course plays but the greens are pretty nice, they are rolling really good.
Chapchai Nirat (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Winner of the OB Golf Invitational and the PIF Saudi Open on the Asian Development Tour last year, Naraajie is looking to build on his success by playing as often as he can around Asia.
“I won two times last year, which meant I got my Asian Tour card this year, but I haven’t played too well so far. I’m planning to play as much as I can this year to try to keep my card.
“I’m hoping for more events in Indonesia for the ADT, and also for the Asian Tour, this year. It’s a benefit for me to play here in Thailand. We had a lot of ADT tournaments last year in Indonesia which helped me to get my status so now I can play more overseas,” he said.
“The ADT events are good for Indonesian golfers as it gives them more opportunity to play against the best players on the Asian Tour and the ADT, it’s good to compete with these guys,” he added.
“This course has a lot of birdie opportunities and there are so many players here who can shoot low tomorrow so I will try hard and hope for the best.”
Poom Saksansin (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Thailand’s Poom Saksansin posted another 66 to match yesterday’s score and sits in third place on -11.
China’s Wocheng Ye and Jack Murdoch of Australia both managed to advance up the leaderboard, with Ye posting the day’s low round with a seven-under-par 63, and Murdoch a 64. They share fourth spot on -10 with the Thai trio of Runchanapong Youprayong, Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Nopparat Panichphol.
Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai share ninth spot on -9, one stroke ahead of compatriots Kosuke Yamamoto and Sirapob Yapala.
The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000). The four day event concludes tomorrow (May 28).
Main Picture: Naraajie Ramadhan Putra (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat made a determined assault on the leader board in Round Two of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open today, posting a bogey-free eight under par round to take the lead at -10 going into the weekend.
With four birdies on each side, Chapchai was making the most of a new putter and despite the wind, made sure to stamp his mark on the tournament with a 62.
“Good game for me today,” he said following his round. “Strong wind so it was a bit difficult but my tee shots were good, putting was also good.”
“I have a new putter this week, and it’s feeling great. I needed to change after the International Series Vietnam. My short game was really good there but the putter wasn’t working so I changed and now it feels really good.”
“Tomorrow we will see. Two more days but my game is feeling good so let’s see.”
Naraajie Ramadhan Putra (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Naraajie Ramadhan Putra of Indonesia posted another low round with a five under par 65, building on his first round score of -4 to secure solo second place on -9.
Nirun Sae-ueng of Thailand lies in third spot on -8, followed by a group of -7 in fourth spot, led by Poom Saksansin who also scored a bogey-free round of 66.
“I had a good round today, I did quite well,” Poom said after his round. “There was a lot of wind and it was hot but I just tried to keep it in the fairway and make the putts.
“Putting was OK but I was leaving a lot short. The greens break less than you think and you need to give the putts a little bit more because the greens are a bit slow from the rain this morning.
“Hole seven I thought I did OK, hit two good shots but then missed the putt for birdie, and then on 12, I hit it over the green and thought I was going to drop a shot but ended up holing a long putt for par.
“I’m going to rest and hopefully get a good recovery and then tomorrow try to go low again,” he added.
Poom Saksansin (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Overnight leaders Nopparat Panichphol and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand were unable to capitalize on their position today, both posting even par rounds of 70, and together with compatriot Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng complete the group in fourth place.
Joe Heraty of England sits in a group on -6 in eighth place, together with Thai players Jakkanat Inmee, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij, Ekpharit Wu and Arnond Vongvanij.
And in spite of the strong winds, a sweetly-struck nine iron at the eight hole made it a day to remember for Thailand’s Nutdanai Nuangjaknin who holed out for an ace on the 158-yard par 3.
The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000).
Main picture: Chapchai Nirat (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai took full advantage of his early start in the Laguna Phuket Open today, posting a seven under par 63 in light wind conditions to secure an early clubhouse lead.
However, despite the heavier conditions in the afternoon, countryman Nopparat Panichphol was up to the challenge, opening his round with three birdies to chase down the lead in the rain.
“I made a good start,” said Nopparat after his round. ” It was very windy but I was driving the ball well, hitting the center fairway and getting the ball on the green. The only trouble I had was on the fifth hole when I pushed my drive left and ended up with a bogey.”
“My putting was good today,” he added, “only 27 putts and hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow.”
Nopparat Panichphol (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
“I played pretty good today, happy with the day,” said Atiruj after his round. “Driving, putting and iron play was all good especially the putting. The greens are tricky here and difficult to read, and you have to watch the grain.”
“I’ve played here a few times and I like the course, it was in good condition today. There was a bit of wind, but in the morning not too strong. Wind is picking up though and it might rain later, so I’m happy that I played early,” he added.
“My driving was OK, but I had a lucky break on hole 7. Pulled my drive and it hit the cart path but I was lucky it only landed in the rough and I was able to make birdie.”
Naraajie Ramadhanputra of Indonesia (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Thailand’s Arnond Vongvanij was another of the afternoon starters to master the weather conditions, posting a bogey free round of 64 to secure solo third place. He edged compatriots Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij and Nirun Sae-Ueng down one spot after their early rounds of five under par. Thailand’s Warun Ieamgaew later joined them in fourth as the day drew to a close.
Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra leads a group in seventh place with a four under par 66, joined by Australia’s Jack Murdoch, Joe Heraty of England and the Thai pair of Jakkanat Inmee and Charng-Tai Sudsom.
Fadhli Soetarso of Indonesia, Malaysia’s Paul San and Englishman Matt Killen are the remaining visitors in the top third of the leaderboard on three under, where they are placed with a strong Thailand contingent, including Asian Tour regulars Poom Saksansin, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Natipong Srithong.
The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000).
Main photo: Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij posted a flawless six-under-par 65 to take the early lead in the Aramco Invitational at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Saudi Arabia today.
The 26-year-old Thai, winner of the Singha Classic on the All Thailand Golf Tour earlier this year, posted three birdies on each nine to edge into a slender lead in the US$125,000 Asian Development Tour event.
The early clubhouse leader, Saudi golfer Othman Almulla, started in the morning wave and despite a couple of early bogeys, made use of his local knowledge to pick up six shots on the back nine.
“Obviously, I’m so, so happy that we’re playing at my home course and I wanted to start really well. I didn’t start amazing on the front nine, I missed a couple of putts and made the turn at one over.
“I thought, I know this place, so I just need to keep giving myself chances. Some of the putts started to go in and I finished really strongly,” he recalled.
“I was sad to miss the Saudi Open for family reasons, so I felt like we needed to do something really nice this week.”
Othman Ibrahim Almulla
He said he was excited for Aramco and Rolling Hills to host their first international tournament, and how it meant a lot to him and other golfers in Saudi Arabia as part of the development of the sport in the Kingdom.
“It means a lot. I’ve been super lucky to be supported by Golf Saudi and Aramco since I was a young kid. I grew up playing golf here and have seen how they support sports and get people engaged with outdoor activities,” he said.
“They were one of the first real supporters of this transformation in the Kingdom with sport, from the first Saudi iInternational and then for them to support ADT as well, it provides a really cool platform for the best Asian players to come and develop and move up to the bigger ranks.”
“It just goes to show that when you get good organization and strong companies supporting the youth and the good talent, really cool things can happen,” he added.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing many, many young boys and girls from Saudi Arabia also playing and hopefully aspiring to be professional golfers soon.”
Also posting a five-under-par score of 66 were Thailand’s Suttijet Kooratanapisan, who dropped a single shot on the 10th hole, and Jarand Ekeland Arnoy of Norway.
Arnoy, who finished strongly at the PIF Saudi Open last week, had a more eventful day, with four bogeys offset by seven birdies and an eagle on the par 5 12th hole.
A shot back on 67, Thai golfers Sarun Sirithon, Pisitchai Thippong and Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng lead a group in fifth, including England’s Barnes Wallis and Order of Merit contender Chen Guxin of China, who missed last week’s PIF Saudi Open.
Dodge Kemmer of the USA, winner of the season-opening Gurugram Challenge in March, and Malaysia’s Khor Kheng Hwai, rounded out the group on four-under-par.
In 12th place, on three-under, a group of nine players includes last week’s winner Naraadjie E Ramadhanputra and the leading amateur in the field, El Mehdi Fakori of Morocco.
Ramadhanputra, who moved up into third place in the OOM following his win at the PIF Saudi Open, could be poised to make a late charge if he does well this week.
He currently leads OOM front runner Suteepat Prateeptienchai by a stroke while his other contenders – Chonlatit Chuenboonngam in second and Shariffuddin Ariffin in fourth – both scored par today.
Overnight leader Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra maintained the pressure in a rain-delayed PIF Saudi Open today, extending his lead in the early stages and then plotting his way round a damp Riyadh Golf Course to clinch an assertive three shot victory and secure a spot in the Saudi International 2023.
The US$200,000 Asian Development Tour event, the first hosted by the tour in Saudi Arabia, was delayed due to overnight weather. Heavy rain forced the organizers to first revise tee times an hour later than scheduled and then finally opt for a shotgun start with threesomes at 10.30am.
Ramadhanputra (197), who won the OB Golf Invitational in Jakarta in June, started from the first tee in the leading group and set out his stall early. Two birdies in his first three holes and an eagle on the par five fifth hole saw him extend his advantage over playing partners Harrison Gilbert of Australia (200) and England’s Joshua Grenville-Wood (201).
Joshua-Grenville-Wood, who shot a new course record score of 62 on the opening day, finished in third place at the PIF Saudi Open in Riyadh.
Grenville-Wood and Gilbert, who started the day two and three shots behind the Indonesian, were unable to keep pace with the leader who posted a steady string of pars before birdieing the 13th and 16th holes to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.
A bogey on the 17th gave some hope to the chasing pack but by then the win was inevitable and a birdie on the 18th clinched the deal. Gilbert posted a matching six-under-par 66 to finish in second place with Grenville-Wood carding a 68 to take third.
Benjamin Follett-Smith of Zimbabwe, who started the day tied for sixth on eight under par, posted a bogey-free 66 and briefly threatened to challenge for the lead, but was only able to claim fourth spot with a total of 202.
Dodge Kemmer of the USA, winner of the season-opening Gurugram Challenge in March, posted the equal lowest score of the day with a flawless seven-under-par 65, rising up the leaderboard to share fourth place with Follett-Smith.
Australia’s Harrison Gilbert, matched the leader over two rounds but was unable to make up for a first day deficit of three shots
In sixth place, India’s Udayan Mane posted a bogey-free 66 to improve on his overnight score, together with Jared Ekeland Arnoy of Norway, who equalled the low round of the day with a 65.
Thailand’s Pisitchai Thippong shared eight place with compatriot Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines, both of whom were able to make up ground on the leaders in the season-long Order Of Merit.
Current OOM leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai, who has already won three times this year, ended up well down the field, together with fellow Thai Chonlatit Chuenboonngam who lies a close second in the OOM. Chonlatit finished tied for 19th and Suteepat with a share of 46th place. The other contender on the OOM, Chen Guxin of China, did not take part in this event.
The ADT is in action again next week in Saudi Arabia for the Aramco Invitational at Rolling Hills Golf Course followed by the final event of the season at the Taifong Open in Chinese Taipei.
The Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisors takes place at the Royal Greens Golf Course in Saudi Arabia from February 2-5, 2023. The US$5,000,000 event is the opening event of the Asian Tour’s 2023 season and last year was won by Harold Varner III of the USA.
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