April 13, Pattaya, Thailand: Thailandâs Prayad Marksaeng completed a magnificent wire-to-wire victory in the Singha Pattaya Open today after holding off a brave challenge from his nephew and defending champion Kwanchai Tannin, at Burapha Golf Club.
Prayad, oozing his usual effortless natural gift for the game, recorded the 14th win of his professional career after firing a closing three-under-par 69 for a stunning tournament total of 20 under.
Kwanchai, aged 28, fired a 66 and finished one shot behind his 48-year-old uncle, in the second event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Hour.
Last year he produced a Prayad type performance to win in Pattaya by an emphatic six shot margin. It was also a start to finish win and he ended 18 under. The talented Thai also claimed the Luang Prabang Laos Open in 2013 and went on to win the Order of Merit title.
However, he clearly respected his elders and kept it in the family today with Prayad securing a winning cheque for THB435,000 (approx U$13,500).
This was Prayadâs first win of the year and the continuation of a regal 2013 season in The Kingdom when he triumphed in the Singha Esan Open, which was the ASEAN PGAâs season opening event, the Thailand Open on OneAsia and the Queenâs Cup and Kingâs Cup.
Kwanchai won THB256,500 (approx US$7,900) while compatriot Namchok Tantipokhakul returned a 65 to finish in outright third, three behind Prayad.
The next ASEAN PGA Tour event is the PGM-ASEAN PGA Orna Championship at Orna Golf & Country Club. The tournament will be played from May 28 to May 31 and is one of three events in 2014 jointly sanctioned with the PGM Tour – Malaysiaâs flourishing domestic circuit.
This seasonâs ASEAN PGA Tour boasts at least 11 tournaments offering nearly US$1 million in overall prize money and the Singha Pattaya Open is part of the newly launched âRoad to the Sabah Mastersâ, the tournament where the 2014 Order of Merit champion will be crowned.
Leading final round scores:
(Par -72)
(Thai unless stated)
268 – Prayad Marksaeng 64 67 68 69
269 – Kwanchai Tannin 69 71 63 66
271 – Namchok Tantipokhakul 71 67 68 65
272 – Thanyakon Khrongpha 68 71 66 67
273 – Narinrit Tantrakul 68 72 68 65, Gunn Charoenkul 70 69 67 67, Prom Meesawat 70 66 69 68
274 – Piya Swangarunporn 70 71 67 66
275 – Thaworn Wiratchant 71 67 69 68, Chawalit Plaphol 66 71 69 69, Panuphol Pittayarat 71 67 67 70
