Thongchai Prevails in Pebble Beach Play-Off

Pebble Beach, United States: Thongchai Jaidee claimed his second PGA Tour Champions title after defeating Justin Leonard on the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee at Pebble Beach.

Beginning the final round one shot off the lead, the 53-year-old Thai, a multiple winner on the Asian Tour and DP World Tour, closed with a five-under 67 to force extra time with 36-hole leader Leonard.

Thongchai eventually prevailed thanks to a par on Pebble’s iconic par-five 18th hole after the American found trouble off the tee en route to a double-bogey.

Thongchai, who posted rounds of 70-65-67 for a 14-under 202 total, said: “This has been a special week for me because we played the links, the signature (course). We know about Pebble Beach for a long time. I worked very hard with my caddie.

“I hit my driver pretty well, irons pretty well and my putting was getting back. That’s why everything is complete.

“Winning gives me my second wind, that’s why I’m very, very happy to win for the second time on the PGA Tour Champions.”

For Thongchai it was a third top-10 this season, following a tied fifth at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open and more recently a joint second at the Shaw Charity Classic.

His latest victory was worth US$345,000 and vaulted him into 16th place on the Charles Schwab Cup rankings.

While Thongchai was an established star during the height of his career following eight DP World Tour wins and numerous other titles across Asia, he didn’t manage to win on the PGA Tour, posting three top-10s from 70 career starts.

At Pebble, Thongchai, who served in the Thai army as a paratrooper before turning professional, produced some wonderful golf to march to a victory which was all the more sweet because one of his academy players, known as Sammy, acted as his caddie.

“He grew up in my academy and he’s a good boy and helps me a lot to get my momentum sometimes,” said Thongchai.

After advancing through Tuesday’s open qualifier for a spot in the field, Indian Arjun Atwal posted three rounds in the 60s to claim third-place honours in his fifth PGA Tour Champions start. Korean YE Yang, Asia’s first Major winner at the 2009 PGA Championship, finished tied fifth after a final round 70.