Bangkok, Thailand: With a rock-solid performance, teenager Achiraya Sriwong made a successful title defence in the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary.
The 14-year-old national team representative was a model of consistency at Lotus Valley Golf Resort in Chachoengsao city, to the northeast of Bangkok.
During rounds of 68, 67 and a closing 69, Achiraya hardly played a false stroke and was rarely out of position.
Her 54-hole total of 12-under 204 was three strokes clear of runner-up Tunrada Piddon with Pimpisa Rubrong a further two strokes in arrears in third spot.
Namo Luangnitikul, who joined Achiraya and Thitikarn Thapasit in Thailand’s Queen Sirikit Cup team in February, claimed sole possession of fourth spot on 210 after three successive rounds of 70. Thitikarn finished in joint 11th place on 216.
Unheralded Napajira Luesattha, who set a blistering pace with an opening 66, ended alone in fifth while Louise Uma Landgraf had to settle for a share of seventh place on 214.
Phuket-based Landgraf made global headlines in mid-April when she emerged triumphant from a three-way play-off in the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, becoming the youngest winner on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.
Landgraf, who represents France but attends the British International School, Phuket, has won multiple junior events in Thailand over the past 12 months.
The 14-year-old began the week in 94th place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), making her the highest rated player in the starting line-up.
But despite a promising opening 69, she was unable to match Achiraya’s steadiness.
For Achiraya, the only player in the field to break 70 on all three days, the victory continued her good recent form that included a ninth place finish in The Royal Junior in Japan, helping her into the top-400 in the WAGR – a position that should now improve further.
She is only the second player after Sarinee Kasemsual (1988 and 1990) to defend the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open title. Thye only other two-time winner of the tournament is Singapore's Kee Bee Khim (1982 and 1986).
Despite her outstanding effort this year, Achiraya was only able to help her team to second runners-up place in the team event at Lotus Valley.
Achiraya combined with Natrakarn Nitivorasit and Jidapat Siddhirujirot to post a 36-hole aggregate of 289 in the event in which the two best daily scores in each three-strong team are counted over the first two days.
Victory went to the Thai trio of Pimpisa, Chananyu Chowiwattana and Tarapath Panya on three-under 285.
Leading Individual Scores
204 – Achiraya Sriwong (Thailand) 68-67-69
207 – Tunrada Piddon (Thailand) 68-70-69
209 – Pimpisa Rubrong (Thailand) 71-71-67
210 – Namo Luangnitikul (Thailand) 70-70-70
211 – Napajira Luesattha (Thailand) 66-72-73
212 – Korrawan Bennukul (Thailand) 71-69-72
214 – Louise Uma Landgraf (France) 69-72-73; Ngampan Chantana (Thailand) 76-66-72
215 – Iris Mehri Muslu (Thailand) 72-72-71; Passarawan Athipansiri (Thailand) 73-67-75
