TK Shows Mettle with Stirring Late Fightback

Charleston, South Carolina, United States: From the brink of a humbling early exit, Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat produced a stirring late charge to keep alive his hopes of qualifying for the match play phase at the 75th US Junior Amateur Championship.

At five-over-par after an error-strewn opening round ay Beresford Creek that contained eight bogeys, the much-heralded Thai teenager was languishing in equal 165th position – and in serious danger of being eliminated after the 36-hole stroke play qualifier at Daniel Island Club.

When he bogeyed the par-four second hole at Ralston Creek in round two on Tuesday, his prospects of progressing appeared even more bleak.

From that point, though, TK, at 25th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), the highest rated player in the 264-strong starting field, did not put a foot wrong.

With a birdie at the eighth he turned in even-par 36. Picking up further strokes at the 14th, 16th and 18th, TK signed for a three-under 69.

His 36-hole aggregate of two-over 145 meant he scraped through in a share of 58th position. He now faces a 14-man play-off to determine the final seven spots in the bracket.

Leading a strong Asia-Pacific contingent who made it through to match play was New Zealander Joshua Bai. He followed up his opening 66 with a 72 to finish tied fourth overall – three shots behind medallist Tommy Morrison of America.

Also through are China’s Qiu Zihang (tied ninth, 139), Australians Harry Takis (tied 14th, 140) and Joseph Buttress (tied 19th, 141), Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chi-chun and Thai Pongsapak Laopakdee (tied 25th, 142), Chinese Taipei’s Stanley Lin, China’s Fang Zeqian and Japan’s Taishi Moto (tied 44th, 144).

Alongside TK on 145 was China’s Zhou Yanhan who will also have to play-off for a place in match play.

Among those narrowly missing out were New Zealand’s Zackary Swanwick and China’s Chang Zihuan (both 146), Thai Teerawat Boonseeor, China’s Fang Zekun and Hong Kong China’s Darren Zhou (all 147).

Match play will be held in its entirety on the Ralston Course. The Round of 64 will begin on Wednesday at 8 am local time.