Thailand’s Tawit Polthai held his nerve through a tough finishing stretch to triumph in the 2025 PKNS Selangor Masters, winning by three strokes in the Asian Development Tour’s opening event of the season.

With four birdies in his first six holes, Tawit (69) looked locked in for the win, at one point extending his lead to seven shots over his nearest rivals. However a run of bogeys on 11, 12 and 14 left the door ajar for second place finisher Juvic Pagunsan (66) of the Philippines.

Pagunsan, who posted six birdies to close within two shots of Tawit, looked set to build pressure in the closing stretch, but his first bogey of the day on 16 put paid to his chances and allowed Tawit the space to par his way home for his maiden ADT victory.

“I’ve waited a long time to win on the ADT,” said Tawit after his round, “and I’m very, very happy now I’ve finally made it. It’s a good start to the season.”

“It was almost there but I missed my second shot in on 16,” said Pagunsan. “I made a bogey and he made a par, which was the turning point. I’m so happy with my scoring right now, and with second place, its been a good week,” he added.

Having made it into the event at the last minute with an invite, Tawit admitted the first two rounds were tough, and said yesterday after taking the lead that his primary aim was to just make the cut.

“I felt a little bit of pressure for the first two rounds because i had an invite for this tournament,” he explained, “but after the first two rounds it just went from there.”

The Seri Selangor course lived up to its reputation as a tough challenge in the US$200,000 tournament, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of Malaysia, and despite scores staying low, the scorecards featured as many bogeys as birdies over the course of the event.

Poom Pattarapong (66) of Thailand recovered well after opening with two bogeys, knocking in seven birdies over the course of his round to take solo third spot, and share the low round of the day honours with Juvic, Yanhan Zhou of Xhina and Korea’s Minwook Gwon.

Early contender Runchanapong Youprayong (69) of Thailand posted his fourth round in the sixties which was enough to secure him fourth spot and the comfort that his game is sharpening up after the season break.

In fifth spot, Zhou shared the position with Shotaro Ban (68) of the USA and Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra (71), who was unable to rekindle the magic that scored him an unoffical course record in Round Two.

First round leader Amarin Kraivixien (71) of Thailand finished with a share of eighth place, alongside compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn (72), and two shots ahead of Spain’s Pep Angles (68) in 10th spot.

Malaysian amateur Hariz Hezri (72) finished in 11th place, together with Gwon, with Korea’s Minhyeok Yang (74) in solo 13th.

Tiued for 14th place were Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (69), Australia’s Deyen Lawson (71) and the Thai trip of Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (69), Itthipat Buranatanyarat (70) and Natipong Srithong (73).

With the 2025 ADT season starting to take shape, the next scheduled and confirmed event is the Lexus Challenge at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram in Vietnam, which is scheduled for March 19-21.

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai continued the fine form he discovered yesterday, posting another low round to move into a commanding five shot lead heading into the final round of the 2025 PKNS Selangor Masters.

The 30-year-old Thai, who finished fourth in this event in 2023, showed he was getting to grips with the Seri Selangor Golf Club course, and after posting 65 will be fancying his chances of clinching his first Asian Development Tour title.

“Today wasn’t a good start for the first four holes,” he said. “One bogey but then on the par fives, one eagle and one birdie and then my game came back until the 17th, and I just made one bogey on the last hole,” he added.

“I felt a lot of pressure in the first two rounds, just wanting to make the cut, but now its good to be the leader,” he said. “Tomorrow I will just try to focus on my game, try to do the same as the first three days,” he said.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra (72) was unable to capture the magic of yesterday’s unofficial club record 63 and finished one over par for the day in solo second place, a final hole bogey putting the seal on a round that never really got going.

In third spot, Juvic Pagunsan (67) of the Philippines sits at eight under alongside the Thai duo of Jakraphan Premsirigorn (69) and Runchanapong Youprayong (69)

The US$200,000 tournament is the season-opener of the ADT, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf of Malaysia, and many players are shaking the rust from their game after the holiday.

Thailand’s Amarin Kraivixien (68), who held the co-lead after round one, saw his game slip away with a 71 yesterday, but was making a defiant comeback until a double on the last brought him back down to earth.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra pictured in action during the third round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

He sits in solo sixth place and will be hoping his return to form coninues when play gets underway in the final round.

In seventh place, on six under par, Korea’s Minhyeok Yang (67) rests alongside England’s Sam Broadhurst, who shot the low round of the day with a 63, alongside Thailand’s Poom Pattarapong (69) and Shotaro Ban (70) of the USA.

Broadhurst, who contiunued in Asia after taking part in the Asian Tour Qualifying-School in December, said he was enjoying his time in the region.

“First time in Malaysia and I love it,” he said, “the course is great. Obviously a little bit warmer than I’m used to back home but I’m trying to deal with it as best I can.

“I just couldn’t get anything going in rounds one and two, but today was closer to what I’m used to in terms of how well I hit it,” he said. “I managed to hit fairways, hit greens and take advantage where I could,” he added.

Malaysian amateur Hariz Hezri (66) lies in solo 11th spot on five under, having made a resolute comeback from a disappointing 73 in Round Two.

With round three complete, the final round will begin tomorrow at 7.51am off two tees, with the leading group of Tawit, Pagunsan and Ramadhanputra heading out at 9.30am.

Main picture: Thailand’s Tawit Polthai pictured in action during the third round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra turned up the heat in the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters today, with an eagle and six birdies to take a two shot lead into the final rounds of the opening event in the 2025 Asian Development Tour season.

Starting on hole one, his 63 was the low round of the day, edging him ahead of Thailand’s Tawit Polthai (64) who posted an unblemished seven birdies at the Seri Selangor Golf Club in the US$200,000 ADT event, co-sanctioned with the domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.

“I shot five under on the front and three under on the back so a lot of good shots in the first nine, made one eagle also,” said Naraajie after his round. “On the back nine I was just kind of hanging in there, made a lot of pars and made a long birdie putt also,” he added.

“Today I putted really well,” he explained. “I made a lot of short putts, saved pars and made long putts for birdie also so I’m pretty happy with the way I putted today,” he said.

While not official due to the preferred lies ruling in place, Naraajie’s round matched the Seri Selangor course record of 63, recorded first by Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the 2008 Selangor Masters, followed by 2009 winner Rick Kulacz of Australia when it was an Asian Tour event.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (68) was the early clubhouse leader and ended the day with a share of third place on six under, alongside compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn (68) who matched scores with four birdies and one dropped shot in their rounds.

With all players getting back into the game and shaking out the rust after the season break, Runchanapong was another who started to settle more into his game as the tournament progressed.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“I feel like it was a little bit better than yesterday,” Runchanapong said after his round. “Yesterday was a little bit shaky to start, because I took a one month break and then came back and worked on my swing, so everything’s just starting to get into place at the moment.

“Today I was able to control myself and my mental side, and also I hit the driver pretty well, so that helps. I didn’t make a lot of putts, but rolled a birdie in on 18 so that helps makes lunch a bit better,“ he laughed.

American Shotaro Ban (69) holds solo fifth place on five under par going into round three, an early double bogey on his second hole made him work hard for his place, making the turn at par and eventual finish at two under for the day.

In sixth spot, on four under par, the group includes Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong (68) and overnight leader Amarin Kraivixien (71), who was unable to capitalise on his lead with an even par score.

Also in sixth spot are Malaysia’s Zia Izzuddeen (71), teenage Japanese amateur Daichi Hayashi (71) and Juvic Pangunsan (66) of the Philippines, and Italy’s Luca Cianchetti (65) who is making his debut on the ADT and enjoying his break from Europe.

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“Last year I played mainly on the Challenge and Alps tour,” he said, “and then at the end of the year, I played Q School. And then suddenly I decided, ‘Okay, I want to try the Asian tour, to breathe some different air, some fresh air, and I kind of like it over here.

“I’ve been in Thailand and I’ve been here, so I’m pretty happy to get the card for ADT and compete this year,” he added.

“I’m really glad for this round today. I like the people around here, they’re kind so I’m happy to stick around here. This golf course is quite amazing. It was really, really hard today so I’m really pleased with my round of 66,” he said.

“The courses in Asia, obviously, are really different. The grasses are different here. A lot of Bermuda, a lot of grain on the greens. I feel like the courses that I have played are a little bit longer than the ones in Europe that I used to play and I think they kind of fit my game a little bit more,” he added.

With the cut made at +3, 58 players will contiunue into the final two rounds. Play begins again off two tees at 7.51am local time, with the leaders hitting off at 9.30am.

Main picture: Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Thailand’s Amarin Kraivixien showed his pre-season preparation was paying off in the first round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club today, shooting a four-under-par 67 to take the early clubhouse lead.

With play suspended due to darkness in the US$200,000 Asian Development Tour event, the opening match of the 2025 season, the Thai player shares the lead with Malaysia’s Zia Izzuddeen and Japanese amateur Daichi Hayashi.

“It was very smooth for the most part,” said Amarin after his round, “as I made a pretty good start in my opinion for holes one to four.

“My plan was that if I could par out for those four holes then with par fives coming up on the fifth and sixth, if I can do anything with it then I feel I can start my round,” he added.

With a three birdie finish to cement his lead, Amarin was quick to credit his off-season work with helping him to make a good start to the year.

“I would say I’m more pleased with the progress I made during the off season and that I can see the improvement on the course today,” he said.

“I worked really hard on my iron shots and it paid off very well.”

Zia, who finished well after posting three bogeys in his first nine, will look to capitalise on his strong finish alongside Daichi, who was cruising along with only pars and birdies until an unfortunate double on hole three, his 15th of the day.

England’s Matt Killen (68) leads a group in fourth spot on three-under-par after his round was disrupted by back to back bogeys on holes seven and eight.

Malaysia’s Leunkwang Kim who scored a hole in one at the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club. Picture provided by PKNS Selangor Masters.

He shares the position with Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn who made it through the first round with three birdies and no dropped shots.

They share fourth place with Yanhan Zhou of China, Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Natipong Srithong, and the American duo of Flint Bekkers and Shotaro Ban.

In 11th place, on 69, are two Malaysian amateurs, Aiden Kai and Hariz Hezri, alongside compatriots Amir Nazrin and 2022 winner Shahriffuddin Ariffin.

They share the spot with Australia’s Kade Webber, Korea’s Minhyeok Yang and Minwook Gwon, Singapore’s Gregory Foo, Naraajie Ramadhanputra of Indonesia and Malaysia’s Leunkwang Kim.

Kim, who started on the back nine, had an eventful start to his round. Opening with a bogey on 10, he recovered with a birdie on 11 and then pulled out his eight iron to ace the 158 meter hole 12.

Two players are still out on the course to complete Round One after poor light stopped play, the tournament will resume for Round Two at 7.45am local time from two tees.

Just over two years ago, Shahriffuddin Ariffin [main picture] looked to have everything going for him. Buoyed by a victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters, he went on to finish fourth on the 2022 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit to earn his Asian Tour card. Report by Jonathan Ponniah at the PKNS Selangor Masters.

Fast forward to 2025 and the easy-going Malaysian is back for the 12th staging of the Selangor Masters, which tees-off tomorrow at Seri Selangor Golf Club, in an all together different head space.

‘Dino’, as he is known to close friends and family, failed to keep his Asian Tour card following a disappointing 2024 season, lit up by occasional flashes of brilliance, and is hoping that being back on familiar ground will reignite the fire that has been missing in his game of late.

“Being back here at Seri Selangor does give me a lift,” said the 25-year-old, who finished joint ninth at last year’s championship. “I want to regain my momentum and rediscover my feel, as I have performed well at past PKNS Selangor Masters.”

Shahriffuddin Ariffin. 

Shahriffuddin has two ADT titles on his résumé, having also won the PGM Labuan Championship in 2018. What chances of another victory this week at Seri Selangor?

“I have many good memories from Seri Selangor and this week is a good chance for me to get a fresh start. I like tight courses and I’m aiming for a top-five finish to start this year. I don’t want to pressure myself too much, but If I do win, alhamdullilah,” said Shahriffuddin.

Family and friends played a huge role in keeping Shahriffuddin motivated through his on-course struggles in 2024.

“I struggled a lot last year, missing the cut narrowly in many tournaments. My swing was a bit off at the start of the year, and I had no idea why. Mentally, I was stressed due to the missed cuts. But my family was very supportive and kept encouraging me and kept praying for me, motivating me,” shared Shahriffuddin, who hails from the historic city of Malacca.

“I tried very hard to turn things around and regain my rhythm, and I had some deep conversations with my coach, caddie and family. My caddie, Firdaus, is my good friend and my former club-fitter in Malacca, so I talk with him a lot.

“Later in the year, I managed to get a bit of momentum, and I was quite satisfied with my performance in the last three months,” he added.

However, Shahriffuddin was still unable to keep his Asian Tour card and also failed to make it through December’s Qualifying School. That means the talented golfer will focus on the ADT this season.

Shahriffuddin pictured winning in 2022.

“This year I’ll be playing mainly on the ADT, and I might try to qualify for the All-Thailand Golf Tour. The ADT is the best tour for players starting out, and for players like me who are struggling to regain their form, as it gives us a chance to compete with international players,” he noted.

“I did my best to compete on the Asian Tour the last two years, but I wasn’t successful as my game was not sharp enough at that time. The level of play and pressure, the tournament set-ups, are different compared to the local tour and ADT. It’s a huge difference,” Shahriffuddin admitted.

Nevertheless, Shahriffuddin remains confident he can regain his form and relaunch his quest to play with the best, using the PKNS Selangor Masters as a launchpad.

“I am still confident that I can make it. My swing feels good right now, and I played well during the Albatross Cup earlier this month. I will try my best this week and hopefully build momentum with a good start to the year.”

Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat let his experience do the talking in the final round of the Aramco Invitational tournament in Saudi Arabia today, his two-under-par 70 enough to maintain his overnight lead and secure victory.

And with the extra prize money available in the US$250,000 season-ending Asian Development Tour event, the win was enough to propel him to the top of the Order of Merit standings, edging out three multiple tournament winners in the process.

Having played in all 12 ADT events this season, Itthipat’s consistency through the year meant he was able to take the honours without winning an event, unlike his nearest rivals Tanapat Pichaikool, Ahmad Baig and Rahil Gangee, all two-time winners this year.

With Asian Tour cards available for the top ten in the OOM, there was cause for celebration for Thailand’s Tanapat, India’s Gangee and Baig of Pakistan, who finshed second, third and fourth respectively.

Dodge Kemmer of USA pictured on November 30, 2024 during the Final round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 30, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Dodge Kemmer (70) of the USA, who finished second today, grabbed the sixth spot in the OOM, behind Liu Yung-hua (70) of Chinese Taipei who ended up in a share of 12th spot for the tournament.

Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij (70) finished third today, which was enoguh to help him into seventh spot on the OOM list, slightly ahead of compatriots Witchayapat Sinsrang (73) and Kosuke Hamamoto (72), who ended the day in 36th and 25th places respectively.

The final qualifier for next year’s Asian Tour card was Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung (69), who shared 16th place today, enough to edge out Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit and Runchanapong Youprayong by the slimmest of margins.

Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (68) finished fourth in the tournament today, ahead of Tanapat and England’s Ben Jones and Matt Killen, who all shared the day’s low round of 67. They shared the place with Arjun Parsad (71) of India.

Ben Jones of England pictured on November 30, 2024 during the Final round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 30, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

In ninth place, Runchanapong (68) finished alongside Joel Stalter (71) of France, a stroke ahead of Thomas Lim (71) of the USA.

In 12th place today, Liu shared the place with Aidric Chan of the Philippines (70), Shinichi Mizuno (72) of Japan and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (74).

With the 2024 ADT season now in the bag, for the top ten Order of Merit winners the prospect of a year on the Asian Tour in 2025 looms. For the others, there’s always Q-School, which enters its final stage in Thailand next month and concludes in Hua Hin from December 17-21.

Main pictures: Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand pictured during the final round of the Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 30, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Singapore’s James Leow and Dodge Kemmer of the USA held a slim lead after the second round of the Aramco Invitational Tournament in Saudi Arabia today after rain and wind affected play at the mid-point of the final Asian Development Tour event of the year.

With both players posting a two under par score of 70, they lead by a single shot from the Thai duo of Varanyu Rattanaboonkij (72) and Itthipat Buranatanyarat (68) in the US$250,000 tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club.

With Kemmer leading off in the morning wave, and Leow playing in the afternoon, the pair were able to play either side of the inclement weather, and will join in the leading group tomorrow to continue their battle into the third round.

Having shot seven under par yesterday, Leow reflected on the changes the weather had made to his round.

“We had favourable conditions for the afternoon wave,” he said, “but with the strong wind conditions, it didn’t make the hole the same as it was yesterday. It felt like I was a little further back and it made it tougher to get close to the tucked pins today.

‘The key was to give myself as many looks and opportunities as possible and I did as well as I could, I made some putts and came back pretty good,” he added.

“I played here last year and I was way back,” he said. “I didn’t really do much, but i think I learned a lot from last year. Playing the last couple of events has prepped me for this week’s conditions so I’m really excited for the weekend,” he said.

DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA: Dodge Kemmer of USA pictured on November 28, 2024 during the 2nd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 28, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Ryoto Furuya (68) of the USA shot the low round of the day alongside Itthipat and sits in solo fifth place on seven under par.

In the final event of the season, the race for Order of Merit honours is the real battle this week, and Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (71) was the best performer of the season-long contenders.

He finished in sixth place today and will be looking to close the gap on OOM leader Rahil Gangee (73) who sits in joint 25th spot, and also stretch his advantage over third-placed Tanapat Pichaikool (74) in 14th.

In seventh place heading into Round Three, Joel Stalter (71) of France leads by one shot over a mixed international group in eighth which includes Sweden’s Filip Lundell, Thitipan Pachuayprakong of Thailand, Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, Marcus Lim of Malaysia, Aidric Chan of the Philippines and India’s Khalin Joshi.

Despite the poor weather conditions during the day, Round Two was completed as scheduled and play will continue tomorrow with the first groups heading off at 8.20am local time.

The cut was made at two over par and 54 players will continue into the final rounds, with the leaders teeing off at 9.48am.

Main picture: James Leow of Singapore pictured on November 28, 2024 during the 2nd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 28, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij was the victor in a festival of birdies at the top of the leaderboard at the Aramco Invitational Tournament in Saudi Arabia today, his flawless 64 edging the field after the first round.

Six players atop the leaderboard did not drop a shot after 18 holes today, with James Leow of Singapore (65) in second place ahead by two shots of Uganda’s Joshua Seale, Matt Killen of England, Thailand’s Nattawat Suvanajanakorn and Naoki Sekito of Japan in third after carding bogey-free 67s.

Dodge Kemmer of the USA, who posted a lone bogey on hole 10, shared second place with a 65.

“It’s going very well,” said Varanyu after his round “I made birdie quite early and my game was flowing, going smooth, so I just tried to keep making birdies and not make any mistakes.”

DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA: James Leow of Singapore pictured on November 27, 2024 during the 1st round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 27, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Sweden’s Filip Lundell also joined the group in fourth place with a 67, together with Thailand’s Kammalas Namuangruk, Nattawat Suvajanakorn and Tanapat Pichaikool, winner of last week’s Toyota Tour Championship and looking to consolidate his gains in the final Asian Development Tour event of the season.

Tanapat, who is closing in on the leaders in the season-long Order of Merit race, will be looking to get maximum points in this US$250,000 tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Saudi Arabia.

Ahmad Baig of Pakistan, currently in second place in the OOM and also in joint fourth with a 67 after Round One today, will be looking to protect his slight advantage, while OOM leader Rahil Gangee of India is three shots back in a share of 26th place.

On four under par is a large group in 12th spot, led by Korea’s Hyukchul Shin, Marcus Lim and Amir Nazrin of Malaysia, Arjun Prasad and Khalin Joshi of India, Aidric Chan of the Philippines, Joel Stalter of France and the Thai quartet of Sarun Sirithon, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Runchanapong Youprayong and Sarut Vongchaisit.

With everything to play for as the ADT season draws to a close, the tournament will continue for the second round starting at 6.30am, with the last goups teeing off at 11.40am.

It turned out to be a good day to celebrate for birthday boy Tanapat Pichaikool when he won the ADT co-sanctioned Toyota Tour Championship at the Kota Permai Golf & Country Resort here today.

Tanapat played steady golf to card a two-under 70 enroute to a 17-under 271 aggregate, edging out close friend Sarut Vongchaisit by a stroke after a thrilling matchplay-styled final round.

Englishman Ben Jones finished solo third two strokes further adrift on 274

The two Thais who are childhood friends, started the day at 15 under but it was Sarut who gave early notice of his intentions when he knocked in a birdie on the par 5 first hole while Tanapat bogeyed, resulting in a two-shot swing.

Sarut then extended his lead to three shots when he birdied seventh.

Tanapart refused to give in and closed the gap to just one shot when he birdied 8 and 9.

They were back on level terms again when Sarut bogeyed 11. Tanapat took the lead for the first time when he birdied 12 and then went further ahead when his opponent bogeyed 13. It was a lead he would never relinquish.

Sarut fought hard and managed a birdie on the long par 3 17th to close the margin to just one stroke but it wasn’t enough as Tanapat held on to bag his fourth professional win.

It also brought him closer to overtaking Rahil Ganjee, the current leader on the ADT Order of Merit who failed to make the cut this week.

The ADT finale Aramco Invitational takes place in Saudi Arabia next week.

Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool celebrates his win with a birthday cake at Kota Permai Golf Club following his victory. Photo courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.

Tanapat felt overwhelmed by the occasion of not just winning his second ADT event, but having his girlfriend caddy for him.

“It’s been a tough day, a couple of tee shots were unconfident, putting was not good today but I tried to just stay within myself, play boring golf and tred to get myself in a position to have a chance to win,” he said.

“Down by three shots, birdies on eight and nine changed my momentum. That’s when I played steadily and held on to win.

“I feel great, now that I have a chance to win the Order of Merit. It’s something that everyone dreams of but, next week will be a big week so I’ll just try to focus on next week and see what happens.”

Runner-up Sarut said his putting let him down.

“The story could have had a different ending had the putts dropped. I fought until the last hole and in the end it was a fun round today.

“It was a great experience for me, going back and forth and having the lead for the first nine holes. This is something I will remember for a while.”

Sarut added he was looking forward to competing in the Aramco Invitational next week where a good finish would give him the opportunity to play the Asian Tour. “It’s always a dream, playing on the Asian Tour. It would mean a lot.”

Edven Ying emerged as the best Malaysian player when he carded a four-under 68 to finish in joint eighth place with an aggregate of 277.

Another Malaysian Gavin Green and Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat shared the day’s low score of 66. Both finished in joint 13th at nine under.

“I’m happy with how I managed my game this week,” said the 24-year-old Ying. “A bit disappointed with my approaches, missing a couple of greens here and there and not getting close enough to the pins. Thankfully my putting was great today.”

Main picture: Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool celebrates his win with his caddie and girlfriend after his triumph at the Toyota Tour Championship. Photo courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.