Yuvraj making the right moves at Damai Indah
India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu made the most of easier conditions with an early start, posting the low round of the day to secure joint lead after second round of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur tournament at Damai Indah Golf.
His score of 64 on the BSD course put him in a tie for the lead on 13 under par with Ho Yu-cheng of Chinese Taipei, closely followed by overnight leader Jakraphan Premsirigorn of Thailand in the US$125,000 Asian Development Tour tournament.
“It was a good round, early morning start,” said Sandhu after the round. “It’s always tough to get the body going, the engine going on, but luckily my putter was hot and I started with two birdies back to back which set the momentum for the front nine.
“I knew that I was -6 through the front nine and I just kept on pushing it. I had a little bit of a hiccup on the 14th but just before that on the 13th I made an eagle from about 250 yards out,” he added.
“All in all my game is trending in the right direction, the off-season is paying out. There’s been a lot of work in the gym with my trainer and my physio, and also with my coaches, and a lot of games with the boys back home, mentors like Ajeetesh Sandhu and other Asian Tour players that are already there. Games with them help me sharpen my skills.
Ho Yu-cheng of Chinese Taipei pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf.
Asked if there was one thing that had helped him particularly in the game, he was confident in his approach play. “I think it would be just hitting it into the green. I think my proximity to the hole was better than I expected it to be but as soon as I started trusting it more, the proximity to the hole was really good and obviously the putter was hot.”
Ho posted the early clubhouse lead with a score of 65 and was pleased with his progress after an opening day score of 66 despite three dropped shots.
“Today’s round was pretty good, bogey free, and only around 27 putts,” he said after his round. “My second shots were good and gave me the opportunity to get a few birdies.
With four birdies on the front nine Ho then picked up another birdie and an eagle to finish the round, with his drive leaving him just over 200 yards, and he was able to hit his four iron to within six feet.
“The course was playing a little bit easier today. I started early in the morning and there was just a little wind so it was good to play,” he said. “The green’s are not like last week, not so fast, but I think the score will probably go to -23 or -24,” he predicted.
Minhyeok Yang of Korea pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf.
Thailand’s Jakraphan maintained his momentum with a score of 68, and he holds third place going into the final two rounds.
Korea’s Min Hyeok Yang also posted a 68 to secure a share of fourth place with Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin (66), just ahead of his compatriot Ervin Chang (66), Huang Chi (67) of Chinese Taipei and the Thai trio of Sarun Sirithon (70), Witchayapat Sinsrang (65) and Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (67) who are tied for sixth on eight under par.
One shot back in joint 11th spot on -7 are India’s Samarth Dwivedi (66), William Harrold (66) of England, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan (67), Ahmad Baig (70) of Pakistan and the leading local player, Indonesia’s Danny Masrin (70).
Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn hit a perfect round on the opening day of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur tournament on the BSD course at Damai Indah Golf today, posting eight birdies with no dropped shots to lead the field on eight under par.
“It was a perfect round today, I hit eight birdies, bogey free,” he said after his round with a score of 66. “My plan this week was to hit the greens and I hit all 18 greens in regulation.
“My approach game was good, I tried to hit it pretty close to a safe spot near the pin which made it easy to putt,” he added.
“The course was good,” he said. “You just need to get the ball in the fairway and hit the greens. Some greens were firm, but you have to keep it out of the rough. If you hit it in to the rough you cannot hit the green.”
Compatriot Newport Laporojkit posted an early clubhouse lead at the US$125,000 Asian Development Tour tournament with a 65, getting off to a good start and then finishing strongly with five birdies on the back nine.
Sarun Sirithon of Thailand pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur tournamanet at Damai Indah Golf BSD Course. Picture courtesy Damai Indah Golf.
“I had a birdie on the first par five on the front nine, which gave me some momentum. I missed a few birdie putts after that but on the back nine I made a long putt on 11 – the par three – and then after that I kept it in the fairway and made a few putts.”
He narrowly missed out on two eagles which would have seen him set some distance from the field, almost holing out from the rough on 15 and then seeing a 20 foot putt on the 18th just stop on the edge of the hole, leaving him just half an inch for birdie.
“I did a little bit of tinkering with my swing before entering this week, I had some people look at it and it’s been a lot better. My driving’s been good, kept it in play today, and my putting has improved a lot this week after I worked on it with my Dad,” he added.
Korea’s Min Hyeok Yang, one of the later starters for Round One, posted a total of seven birdies in his round to secure a share of second place on seven under par.
Danny Chia of Malaysia was another of the early leaders, finishing the morning on six under par.
“It was a solid round, I’m happy with it,” he said after his round. “The highlight’s probably the short par four. I hit a pretty good drive but I thought it’s going to go in the bunker but somehow it ended up ten feet from the hole so I putted in for eagle.
Danny Masrin of Indonesia pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur tournamanet at Damai Indah Golf BSD Course. Picture courtesy Damai Indah Golf.
“I’ve played here a few times already and I quite like the golf course. It suits my game, it’s not overly long but the greens are quite tricky so you have to putt well. It was a good start to the day, I birdied the first two holes. Hit a 15 footer on the first and then about 30 feet on the second.
“I’ve been doing some swing changes over the last six months. About three months ago it started to work well for me so I’ve been hitting a lot of good iron shots into the pin. That’s given me a lot of opportunities for birdies so I’m feeling quite comfortable with my irons at the moment.
“I missed quite a few putts today out there on the golf course. I misread a few but I’m still quite happy with six under. You make some, you miss some,” he laughed.
Chia’s score of 66 was matched by Ho Yu-cheng of Chinese Taipei and the Thai cohort of Parathakorn Suyasri, Suttijet Kooratanapisan, Panuphol Pittayarat and Sarun Sirithon.
In a group for tenth spot on five under par were Singapore’s Koh Deng Shan, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu of India, England’s Joe Heraty, Poosit Supupramai of Tahiland, Indonesia’s Danny Masrin, Ahmad Baig of Pakistan and Australia’s Deyen Lawson.
Indonesia’s Kevin Abkar endured a torrid start to his final round but kept his nerve to secure his first professional win with a one stroke victory in the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura at Gunung Geulis Country Club.
The young Indonesian, who turned professional in 2019, got off to a terrible start with four bogeys in his first five holes before he was able to get his game back on track. Three birdies followed which allowed him to make the turn and still maintain his lead, despite a further dropped shot on the way.
Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom (68), who matched the course record in a sparkling first round on Wednesday, kept fighting to the last. He was tied for the honours as play drew to a close, posting a pair of birdies on his final two holes to briefly take the clubhouse lead on nine under before Akbar (72) closed the door to finish at 10 under par.
“I knew I had to make some birdies as the back nine is not that difficult,” said Akbar after his round. “I had a good run of pars, I missed a couple of birdie chances but there were a good par saves on 11, 12 and also on 16. That was an eight-footer for par. I made it, that was huge.
“I said to myself before the round that 10 under would be fine and by the time I reached 16 at nine under I thought I’d need at least one more. I hit a good second shot to two feet and made the birdie, that was key.
“I hadn’t looked at the leaderboard until we got to the last hole. I asked Agung (Budiman) how I was doing, and he said just make par and you’re good.”
Charng-Tai Sudsom of Thailand, pictured in action at the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura, at Gung Geulis Country Club. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf
Playing with the course owner Agung Budiman in the US$125,000 Pro-Am event, Akbar was pleased to not only secure his first professional win, but also to make it on the Asian Development Tour. “It’s my first win since I turned pro in 2019,” he said. “I’ve only had a couple of top fives up to now but to win on the ADT is fantastic.”
The three-day best-ball format, which sees professionals partnered with local amateurs, was played this week on two courses for the first two days, with 100 professionals and 100 amateurs competing to make the 36-hole cut.
This is the first time this innovative format has been used on the Asian Development Tour, and it is similar to the format of the New Zealand Open which is part of the parent Asian Tour. For the final day, the professional players were cut to 50 and ties, although any playing in teams which made the top 20 continued in the Pro-Am competition on the final day.
Thammasack Bouahom of Lao, who had dropped off the pace after a strong start on the opening day, managed to recover with a score of 68 in the final round, securing solo third place on 202.
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij advanced up the leaderboard with a second consecutive round of 67 to end the day on 205, but his first round score cost him the chance to be in contention. He shared fourth spot with Indonesia’s Syukrizal S (69) and Ryoto Furuya (69) of the USA.
In seventh spot, Jakraphan Premsirigorn of Thailand made a disappointing finish to an otherwise strong showing this week, his 72 final round score dropped him to a total of 206 following opening rounds of 67 apiece.
Thammasack Bouahom of Lao, pictured in action at the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura, at Gung Geulis Country Club. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf
Rounding out the top 12 on 207 strokes, in a share of eighth spot, were Thailand’s Tawit Polthai, Minhyeok Yang of Korea, India’s Yuvral Singh Sandhu, Oliver Jacobsson of Sweden and Australia’s Deyen Lawson.
Arnond Vongvanij, who scored an albatross yesterday on the par-five sixth hole, battled back from a four-bogey front nine to score a one under par 69 and secure a share of 13th place with 208 strokes, together with Singapore’s James Leow who ended the day on 75.
In 15th place, on 209 strokes, the Thai cohort of Poom Pattaropong (68), Pattaraphol Khanthacha (68), Parathakorn Suyasri (67) and Ekpharit Wu (73) were joined by Indonesia’s Jonathan Wijono (67), all finishing on one under par.
In the Pro-Am event, the honours were taken by Witchayapat Sinsrang and Alit Jiwandana, who secured victory at -27 from a tied second position at -26 held by Tawit Polthai and Sholihuddin Amir and Yu-cheng Ho and Jannes Tjaden.
There was another tie at -25 for fourth spot, shared by Amarin Kraivixien and Gani Arieldi and Thammasack Bouahom and Leonard Husada. Sixth spot was secured by Ekpharit Wu and Wawan Setiawan while seventh spot was shared between the pairings of Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij and Luke Evan Moore; Kasidit Lepkurte and Andrew Harvey Harjanto; and Michele Ortolani and Heri Setiyono.
Tenth spot was shared by the teams of Poosit Supupramai and Andaru Djaja, and Charng-Tai Sudsom and Krishna Iskandar.
Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar was flying the flag for Indonesia on Independence Day today, posting a near flawless round of 63 to secure a lead of five shots over the field in the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura at Gunung Geulis Country Club.
His round of eight birdies and just the single dropped shot was the crowning achievement in an all-Indonesian group that included fellow Indonesian pro George Gandranata, together with course owner Agung Budiman and his younger brother Teguh.
“It was nice to play with an Indonesian group today, with George and Agung and his younger brother. It made it feel like a local tournament,” he said after his round.
“Yes, Pak Agung gave me some advice. I’ve played here two or three times this year. The greens were a little bit softer than the West course but the fairways are pretty much the same. I was just trying to hit the fairways and let the ball roll.”
Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom pictured in action at the Indonesia Pro-Am at Gunung Geulis Country Club. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf
Overnight leader Charng-Tai Sudsom was unable to fully capitalise on yesterday’s score of 62, posting a one-over-par round of 71 to finish the day on seven under par and in a group at second with Australia’s Deyen Lawson, who scored a 66 on the West Course to complement his 67 yesterday.
Singapore’s James Leow made a late run, finishing strongly to also claim a share of second spot going into the final round tomorrow, a run of six birdies making up for a bogey on his first hole of the day.
The three-day best-ball format, which sees professionals partnered with local amateurs, is played this week on two courses, with 100 professionals and 100 amateurs over the first two days.
This is the first time this innovative format has been used on the Asian Development Tour, and it is similar to the format of the New Zealand Open which is part of the parent Asian Tour. For the final day, the professional players will be cut to 50, although any playing in teams which make the top 20 will continue, but playing in the Pro-Am competition only.
Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn pictured in action at the Indonesia Pro-Am at Gunung Geulis Country Club. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf
Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn had an adventurous day on the West Course, posting three bogeys, four birdies and an eagle to finish on three under par for the day, and six under overall. He shares fifth spot with Lao’s Thammasack Bouahorn who posted an even par round of 70.
Sejun Yoon, who celebrated an ace on his final hole of the day yesterday on the East Course, was unable to continue his run of form today, opening with a string of four bogeys before he was able to get his game under control and back into the red numbers. He finished the day with a 70 and sits in solo seventh place at five under par.
Ryoto Furuya of the USA leads a group in eight spot on four under par. His score of 66 made up for an opening day card of even par 70. Indonesia’s Syukrizal S was going the other way today, posting a one over par 71 after an opening round of 65.
Oliver Jacobsson of Sweden and Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu are neck and neck with a pair of 68s each, and the group in eighth spot was completed by Jaturon Duangphaichoom of Thailand, India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Jeremy Wendelken of the USA.
The Pro-Am competition is currently led by Witchayapat Sinsrang and Alit Jiwandana, who lead by two shots at -24 after two rounds from Yu-cheng Ho and Jannes Tjaden. Michele Ortolani and Heri Setiyono are one shot further back, followed by Tawit Polthai and Sholihuddin Amir on -20 and then the Thai duo of Suttijet Kooratanapisan and Charng-Tai Sudsom and their respective partners Rudy Halim and Krishna Iskandar.
The top ten for the Pro-Am is rounded out on -17 by Kasidit Lepkurte and Andrew Harvey Harjanto, Ekphairit Wu and Wawan Setianwan, Thammasack Bouahom and Leonard Husada and Poosit Supupramai and Andaru Djaja.
Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom made the most of his first tournament in Indonesia with a sparkling 62 at the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura today, with only a double bogey on the par-4 14th hole spoiling a potential course record score.
Laotian Thammasack Bouahorn (64) threatened to catch Charng-Tai as the day’s play drew to a close but a dropped shot on 17 left him two shots adrift. Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar posted the early clubhouse lead on seven under par, but ended the day sharing third place on 65 with compatriot Syukrizal S, Japan’s Naoki Sekito and Sejun Yoon of the USA.
Yoon, making his first appearance on the Asian Development Tour since 2015, had something to celebrate on his final hole of the day, recovering from a run of three bogeys on the back nine with an ace on the Par 3 ninth on the East course, with a sweetly-struck four iron holing out from 205 yards.
Charng-Tai was ebullient after his first round in Indonesia, pleased with his performance on the West Course at Gunung Geulis Country Club in Bogor and ready for an as-yet-unknown adventure tomorrow on the East Course.
“I was hitting the ball very well today, and putting very well too on the back nine,” he said after his round. He will no doubt be looking to have another go at the current course record which is 62 on the East Course playing to par 71.
“At this golf course you need to be patient and try to make some opportunities for birdies. The course is very tough, I practiced yesterday on the West Course and it’s very tricky. I’m just trying to play good golf and just be patient, and have fun.
“I started on the back nine, birdie on 13 and then a double on 14, so I was struggling a bit and trying to get my momentum back. I just kept putting the ball in play, and my putting was good on the back nine.”
Kevin Akbar of Indonesia, pictured at the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura. Picture by Yulius Martinus, OB Golf.
Asked about the Pro-Am format being played for the first time on the Asian Development Tour, Charng-Tai was encouraging about the prospects of this innovative format, used previously at the New Zealand Open on the parent Asian Tour.
“It’s a different format. Very excited about it but it’s a little weird, it made me focus on myself more than i am used to. Normally we play with pros, so you always see a pro hitting from the same place where you are.”
“My partner, Krishna, first tee he drove the green so I was a bit more relaxed, he showed me round the course,” he laughed.
The three-day best-ball format, which sees professionals partnered with local amateurs, is played this week on two courses, with 100 professionals and 100 amateurs over the first two days.
The professional players will be cut to 50 and ties after the first two rounds, and any playing in teams which make the top 20 will continue on the final day, but playing in the Pro-Am competition only.
In a group on four-under-par in seventh, Jeremy Wendelken of the USA shared honours with Indonesia’s Danny Masrin and the Thai duo of Tanapat Pichaikool and Jaturon Duangphaichoom.
Yuvraj Sandhu Sandhu of India headed a group in 11th spot on three under par, together with Filip Lundell of Sweden, Australia’s Deyen Lawson and Thailand’s Pannkorn Uthaipas and Jakraphan Premisrigorn.
Poor light towards the end of the day led to play being suspended and the few players left out on the course will resume tomorrow morning at 6.30 am. Normal play for Round Two will continue at the scheduled tee times from 6.45am.
Main picture; Charng-Tai Sudsom of Thailand pictured at the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura. Picture by Yulius Martinus, OB Golf.
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.
An albatross on the tricky par-five ninth hole saw Korea’s Woohyun Kim soar into the lead of the Singha Pattaya Open today, although a dropped shot on the back nine opened the door for Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto to join him at the top.
Kim, who began the day in a share of fifth place, started strongly with three birdies in the first four holes. An albatross on nine, with a birdie shortly after, accelerated his charge to the top.
“It was a good start. I birdied the first hole which put me in a good mood for the day,” he said after his round.
“On the ninth tee, I hit a good drive and thought I would be able to reach it in two because it was quite a short hole. I hit my rescue but I couldn’t see where it landed.”
“When I got to the green I could see a ball on the green but I wasn’t sure if it was my ball, I certainly didnt think mine was in the hole,” he said after revealing that this was his first ever albatross.
“Tomorrow I’m just going to take it shot by shot, I need to stay calm and focus on my game, not on whether I am going to win or not.”
Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Kosuke, leader after the first round and fresh off a victory in the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy last week, showed intent with seven birdies during his round, but three dropped shots slowed his advance.
“The round was OK, but I scored better than I played today, I didn’t really leave any shots out there and the putter was working for me,” said Kosuke after his round. “The bogeys were just some little mental mistakes here and there but I’m happy with the way I bounced back after all the dropped shots today.
“I’m pretty confident that what me and my team have been working on is the right path and we just have to keep doing what we are doing. Tomorrow is another round, whehether I win or not life goes on and I just have to keep focusing on what I’m doing.”
The third round of the THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, enjoyed uninterrupted play at the Laem Chabang International Country Club and will concluded tomorrow.
Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Matthew Cheung (65) of Hong Kong posted a bogey-free round of five-under-par to sit in solo third after briefly sharing the lead on the back nine.
Sangchai Kaewcharoen (66) also made it through 18 holes without dropping a shot. An eagle on the par 5 second hole and a couple of birdies lifted him into a share of fourth place on -13, together with fellow Thai Charng-Tai Sudsom and international entrants Heungchol Joo of Korea (68), Malaysia’s Paul San (65) and Wei-hsuan Wang (65) of Chinese Taipei.
Poom Saksansin, who held the overnight lead, started steadily but dropped a couple of shots before an eagle on the par 5 ninth hole got him back on track. A birdie and bogey on the back nine saw him finish the day on even par.
Aside from leader Kim, the day’s low score of 64 was shared by a number of players including Chayodom Chanjaruphong and Nitithorn Thippong who moved up the leaderboard into an all-Thai group at ninth, accompanied by Poom, Pattaraphol Khanthacha, Pawin Ingkhapradit and Natipong Srithong.
In 15th place were Thailand’s Thitipat Lem, Prom Meesewat, Nopparat Panicphol, Phanuvich Onchu, Danthai Boonma and Phachara Khongwatmai.
Rounding out the top 25 were Thailand’s Krittin Sunthornnon, Supravee Phatam and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit and India’s Chikkarangappa S.
Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines also scored a low-score 64 despite a bogey on the sixth hole. His efforts lifted him into a share of 25th place alongside China’s Wocheng Ye and Vanchai Luangnitikul and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan of Thailand.
Main picture: Woohyun Kim of Korea pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Three-time Asian Tour winner Poom Saksansin posted a second six-under-par round of 64 to take a slender lead into the weekend at the Singha Pattaya Open, leading the field by one shot at the Laem Chabang International Country Club.
Poom, who dropped just one shot shot in his round, faces a strong challenge from some of Thailand’s best known golfers, including overnight leader Kosuke Hamamoto who shares second place on -11 with Heungchol Joo of Korea.
Tirawat Kaewsiribandit holds solo third place on -10 while Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, Sangchai Kaewcharoen, Natipong Srithong, Phachara Khongwatmai and Itthipat Buranatanyarat share fifth place with Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong and Korea’s Woohyun Kim. Danthai posted the best round of the day with an eight-under-par 62.
Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
“I just tried to enjoy the game today,” said Poom after his round. “My putting is good right now and my driving was good, better than last week. My coach came down on Tuesday to help me with some things, helped to fix my swing.
“The course was nice, the greens are really fast but it was hot out there. No rain, which was good, better than last week,” he added.
“Tomorrow I’m just going to try to make as many birdies as possible. I think the winning score is going to be at least -20, and the course is quite open. It’s pretty soft and smooth so I think there are a lot of birdies out there.
“It’s a strong field, and it’s better to be in front than behind, but I think I’ll need to play well to win this tournament. It’s difficult to predict but I’ll try my best.”
Danthai Boonma of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
In 12th place, on eight-under-par, Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei and Paul San of Malaysia maintained international honours against the Thai group of Pawan Petchyoo, Pawin Ingkhapradit, Tawit Polthai and Charng-Tai Sudsom.
Matt Killen of England, India’s Chikkarangappa S, Wocheng Ye of China and Justin Quiban of the Philippines finished the day with a share of 18th place on seven-under-par, together with Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha, Phanuvich Onchu, Ekpharit Wu, Supravee Phatam, KK Limbhasut, Weerawish Narkprachar, Nopparat Panicphol and Sarun Sirithon.
The second round of the THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, enjoyed the benefit of fine weather and was completed on schedule. The cut at -3 will see 70 players making it to the weekend.
Main picture: Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto, winner of last week’s ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy showed he is looking to extend his winning streak in the first round of the Singha Pattaya Open today, posting an eight-under-par 62 to lead the field.
Compatriot Nopparat Panichphol, who also started on the back nine in the morning wave, opened strongly with a string of four birdies and kept Kosuke in his sights one shot back. Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, who started in the afternoon, also posted a 63 to share second place.
Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
The THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, posted a full field of 144 players and is being held at the Laem Chabang International Country Club from July 13-16.
In fourth place, Korea’s Woohyun Kim and Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin posted bogey free rounds of 64 to join Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, Natipong Srithong and Tudpong Chutimaphorn. Thai compatriots Ekpharit Wu and Tawit Polthai dropped shots during their round but also finished on six-under-par.
Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong scored well to head a group in 11th place with a five-under-par 65, alongside fellow international contenders Justin Quiban of the Philippines and the Indian pair of Chikkarangappa S and Udayan Mane.
They were joined by a strong Thai grouping, led by Phachara Khongwatmai, Chapchai Nirat and Suttijet Kooratanapisan, together with Charng-Tai Sudsom, Poom Pattarapong, Krittin Sunthornnon, Vanchai Luangnitikul, Sangchai Kaewcharoen and Thanpisit Omsin.
In 24th place, on four-under-par, England’s Matt Killen and Paul Harris of the USA, together with Heungchol Joo of Korea, Ayoud Lguirati of Morocco and India’s Rahil Gangee were joined by Thailand’s Suttinon Panyo, Amarin Kraivixien, Denwit Boriboonsub, Weerawish Narkprachar, Poosit Supupramai, Pawan Petchyoo, Pisitchai Thippong, Phanuvich Onchu, Tirawat Kaewsribandit and Thitipat Lem.
Main picture: Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto held his nerve and secured victory in the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday, his clubhouse lead of 13 under was enough to win despite finishing with five of the leading groups still out on the course.
Starting the day in 12th place on seven under par, Kosuke opened with five birdies in his front nine, and once play restarted after several delays due to rain and lightning storms, he just needed to pick up one more shot on his back nine to keep his nose in front.
In second place, Settee Prakongvech also shot a six-under-par 65 but had to settle for finishing one shot back at 12 under with fellow Thais Witchayapat Sinsrang and Waris Manthorn. Waris, who led the first two rounds at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, was in contention during the final day but a bogey on the last hole denied him a chance at a playoff.
Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech pictured in action the the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Played on the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, this inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour offered a prize fund of THB3 million.
In fifth place, on 11 under, Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom shared the honours with Vanchai Luangnitikul and Phachara Khongwatmai.
One shot further back, at 10 under, was an all-Thai group of Wongsakorn Pikunsawat, Amarin Kraivixien, Panuphol Pittayarat, Newport Laparojkit, Kittiporn Javanapong, Poosit Supupramai and Natipong Srithong.
Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines was the first to finish from the international field, sharing a group in 15th place on 9 under with MJ Viljoen of South Africa, Joe Heraty of England and India’s Khalid Joshi.
Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong pictured in action the the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
They shared the group with Thailand’s Pol Kemarat and overnight leader Runchanapong Youprayong, who started with a steady string of pars but was derailed by a quadruple bogey eight on the eighth hole which put paid to his thoughts of victory.
Asian Tour veteran Chapchai Nirat and India’s Chikkarangappa S shared 21st place on 8 under, followed by Wocheng Ye of China and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, Kammalas Namuangruk, Suradit Yongchaoenchai and Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij who finished in 23rd place on seven under.
Malaysian duo Shahriffuddin Ariffin and Ervin Chang finished in 28th with six under, together with Thailand’s Sangchai Kooratanapisan.
The Asian Development Tour season continues next week with the Singha Pattaya Open, which is being played at Leam Chabang International Country Club and is also co-sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Main picture: Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto pictured on his way to victory at the the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
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