Amateur Aces Set Sights on Laguna National Showdown

Singapore: Laguna National Golf Resort Club will be the scene of a classic showdown between the two highest-rated Asia-Pacific representatives in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

In what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the DP World Tour’s inaugural US$2 million Singapore Classic, Thailand’s Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat will lock horns with China’s Ding Wenyi.

Regarded as two of the world’s brightest golfing prospects, 17-year-old Ding ended 2022 in 15th place in the WAGR, one spot ahead of 15-year-old TK.

Having enjoyed historic triumphs last year, both players will be in confident mood ahead of their appearance at Laguna National’s Classic Course from February 9-12.

It was on April 10 in 2022 that TK wrote his name into the record books as the youngest male player to win on one of golf’s major Tours, claiming victory in the Asian Tour’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.

The Thai teenager also has fond memories of Singapore having finished third in The Singapore International in January last year, won by Korean Tom Kim Joo-hyung. That was the first professional overseas event in which TK had competed.

Ding also enjoyed a memorable year highlighted by winning the US Junior Amateur Championship. In the process, he earned a starting spot at the 2023 US Open, one of golf’s four Major championships.

TK said: “Playing in Singapore last year was my first time competing in a professional event outside of Thailand and that was a great experience in a wonderful city.

“I’ve also practised at Laguna National before and it’s a beautiful course, so being able to compete there would be amazing. I’m looking forward to playing on the DP World Tour. I can’t wait to come back to Singapore and play alongside some of the best golfers. Hopefully there will be more memories I can take home from here again.”

The last occasion that TK and Ding competed in the same event was November’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club.

Billed among the pre-tournament favourites, the duo were both in contention at various stages of the week before ending in a share of 13th place.

Joining Ding and TK for the Singapore Classic will be Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, joint 32nd at Amata Spring, a year after losing out to then WAGR number one Keita Nakajima of Japan in a sudden-death play-off in the AAC in Dubai. The 22-year-old Kho is 68th in the latest WAGR standings.

Kho and Thai professional Amarin ‘Ray’ Kraivixien took the top two places in last month’s Singapore Classic qualifier.

Kho, who fired a four-under 68 to top the qualifiers, said: “Once I saw the DP World Tour schedule and how many tournaments there are in Asia, I wanted to play in a couple of them.

“It’s been a while since I’ve played tournament golf so it was really nice to be out there, feel some nerves again and compete really hard. To have this opportunity to not only qualify, but to make the most of it is something I’m really grateful for.

“There were no expectations when I went out there. I just tried my best to prepare for it and I’m happy with the result. I'm really looking forward to the tournament.”

Amarin, who turned professional in 2019, is also looking forward to his first DP World Tour event. The 26-year-old said: “This is going to be a key event for me early in the year. The DP World Tour is a great Tour and I had hoped to get on it one day.

“It’s a challenge and I have a few friends out there on Tour as well. I just needed an opportunity, and this was the perfect one. I’m happy that I took the chance and qualified for the Singapore Classic.”