Thai teenager Sadom Kaewkanjana survived a final round tussle with compatriot Witchayanon Chothirungruengrueng to triumph in a play-off at the 115th Malaysian Amateur Open on Sunday.
Sadom had the luxury of three putts to win the prestigious championship on the first extra hole after Witchayanon had pulled his tee-shot into the water hazard and clipped his next two shots into trouble before conceding.
The defeat proved especially painful for Witchayanon, who was aiming to avenge his play-off defeat to Australia Lachlan Barker at Templer Park Country Club last year.
The 20-year-old from Bangkok had earlier stormed into a commanding three-shot lead after a brilliant front nine birdie run at the Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai.
But dropped shots on 15 and 16 for a closing two-under 69 handed the initiative back to overnight leader Sadom, who rallied with birdies on 14 and 17 either side of a bogey on 16 to turn in an even-par 71 to level the contest at four-under 280.
Sadom, who had won the Philippine Amateur Open earlier in the year, was delighted to add to his collection of national amateur championships.
“My game held up today and I am delighted to win this championship. It’s always hard to beat your own team mate to a title but that’s golf. Witchayanon had a great start today and I was playing catch up for most of the round. Obviously, his run of bad luck sort of coincided with my birdies,” shared the 18-year-old.
He noted that his 15-foot birdie putt on the 14 gave him the extra confidence to rally and win the championship.
“I threw caution into the wind and just started attacked the pins. I was running out of holes to make up the deficit and my aggressive approach paid off. That birdie was the booster I needed to get my round going and I knew I could finish strongly.
“I was all pumped going into the play-off and I knew I had a good chance if I kept the ball in regulation. In the end, a bogey proved enough and I’m really pleased with my display,” added Sadom, who hopes that his latest victory will confirm his spot in the regional powerhouse’s South East Asia (SEA) Games squad.
An inspired final round 67 saw India’s Yashas Chandra take sole possesion of third on 285 while another Thai – Kosuke Hamamoto – was further two strokes adrift in fourth.
Malaysia’s best finisher was Galven Kendall Green – the 16-year-old national totalling 11-over par on the back of rounds of 77,69,76 and 73 to settle for joint 16th.
Conducted by the Malaysian Golf Association in conjunction with the Sabah Golf Association, the 115th edition of the Malaysian Amateur Open is jointly supported by the Sabah State Government, National Sports Council, Jebsen & Jessen, Kurnia Insurance, Letz Travel, CrestLink, Srixon Sports Asia, Titoni, Titleist, 100Plus, Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai and the Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai.
CAPTION FOR GROUP PHOTO:
[L to R] Sabah Golf Association president Datuk George Bandusena, Malaysian Golf Association vice-president Datuk Mohamed Zain Yusuf, champion Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand and Malaysian Golf Association president Senator Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.
Leading final results (Par-71)
280 – Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA) 70-70-69-71, Witchayanon Chothirungruengrueng (THA) 71-71-69-69
Sadom wins on the first play-off hole with a bogey
285 – Yashas Chandra (IND) 71-70-77-67
287 – Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) 72-71-74-70
290 – Atiruj Winaicharonechai (THA) 76-77-66-71, Sangchai Kaewcharoen (THA) 70-69-76-75
291 – Lachlan Barker (AUS) 77-73-67-74
292 – Gregory Foo (SIN) 74-75-70-73, Low Wee Jin (SIN) 76-70-73-73, Joshua Ho (SIN) 70-73-74-75
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