Pongsaphak and Thitapa Savour Success at Panya Indra

Bangkok, Thailand: Pongsaphak Laopakdee and Thitapa Phakdesethakul produced outstanding performances to claim top honours in the 86th edition of the Thai Amateur Golf Championship ‘Singha Thailand Amateur Open’.

With a four-round aggregate of 11-under-par 269 at Panya Indra Golf Club, Rayong-based teenager Pongsaphak won the men’s title by three strokes.

In a thrilling climax to the women’s event, Thitapa emerged triumphant after a nail-biting sudden-death play-off with Chanetteewan Saen and Natkrita Wongtaweelap. After 72 holes, the trio were locked together on six-under 274.

As the only player in the field to break 70 on all four days, 15-year-old Pongsaphak was a worthy winner of the King Rama VII Cup.

“It’s an honour to be able to win this trophy. Thank you to all parents, to the Singha Corporation and Panya Indra Golf Course for making sure everything ran smoothly,” said Pongsaphak, who began the week in 1,219th position in The R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Nattaphong Rachatorn placed second on 272 with fellow 17-year-old Suthinontpanyo two strokes further back in third. Bangkok-born Conor Kelly, a sophomore at Seattle University, placed equal 12th on 282.

A third-year student in the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Purdue University in the United States, 21-year-old Thitapa held her nerve on a tension-packed closing day.

The former Thai Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medallist posted a final-round even-par 70 to join current national squad members Chanetteewan and Natkrita at the top of the leaderboard. Chanetteewan signed off with a 69 while overnight leader Natkrita stumbled to a 73, her worst return of the week.

Natkrita was then eliminated at the first extra hole when she failed to match the birdies of her two rivals at Panya Indra’s par-four 18th hole. Playing the hole once more, Thitapa prevailed with another birdie. “My hands were shaking on the last putt. I’m glad and relieved to win,” said Thitapa.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic meant no foreigners were able to compete in this year’s championships, a total of 117 golfers took part in the tournament, comprising 76 males and 41 females.

The championships were held under the auspices of the Thailand Golf Association in collaboration with Singha Corporation Limited and the Sports Authority of Thailand.