Danthai Beats Jazz in Fourth Play-off for Boonchu Ruangkit Title

The two young guns were tied at 15 under-par 269 at the regular round and were neck-and-neck going into the first three play-offs. But after the Hua Hin-based Jazz hit his second shot from one bunker to another on the par 4 18th hole in the fourth play-off, it was all clear that Danthai whose second shot landed 10 feet from the pin would close out the deal.

The misfortune Jazz got out of the bunker on his fourth shot which went further away from the pin while Danthai easily tapped home his championship par putt for his first win since lifting the title in the Thai PGA Tour in Kabin Buri earlier this year.

“It was amazing and unbelievable to win today. But when his tee-off shot landed on the bunker in the fourth play-off, I was confident I had it in my hand,” said the 20-year-old Sukhothai who won the winner’s prize money of Bt612,500. This was also his first ADT crown.

“ I kept sticking to the same game plan by going for the lay-up and then aim for the pins. I was a bit nervous in the first play-off but I’m happy to win it finally,” said Danthai who fired a 65 in the final round.

“This is such a great way to finish the year. This win is for my family and I hope for to win more next year,” said the former SEA Games gold medalist in his first play-off win since turning professional.

Jazz whose previous win was in the All Thailand stop in Nakhon Nayok in May stuck to his aggressive game by using the woods in all the play-offs hit a 64 in the regulation. In the end his plan did not seem to work.

“ I already tried my best. I came here didn’t even expect for the play-off. I was just a bit unlucky in the end,” said Jazz who failed to keep his card on the Asian Tour after finishing outside the top 60 in the Order of Merits.

Prom Meesawat carded the week’s lowest of 62 to finish at joint third with Rattanon Wannasrichan and James Byrne of Scotland with 14 under-par 270.

“It was the last day in the last tournament of the year. So I was quite relaxed and it turned out I played really well,” said  Prom who was carrying his one year old daughter “Metra”  around the clubhouse after his dazzling round.

Thongchai Jaidee, playing with fatigue, signed off with a 69 and a total 272 for tied sixth with Thai No 2 Kiradech Aphibarnrat following a stroke behind along with third round leader Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol.

Meanwhile American Johannes Veerman finished the year as the  No 1 player on the Order of Merits with a total earning of US$58, 662.Malaysian Gavin Green needed to finish top six in the Boonchu event to overtake the No 1 ranking but he finished tied 63rd.

Top six in the Oder of Merits including local Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Suradit Yongcharoenchai earned the cards for the Asian Tour next year.

After missing the Thai PGA Tour Order of Merits year end No 1 last week, Udorn Duangdecha made amends by winning at the All Thailand No 1 instead with a total gross of Bt1,489,225 for his second All Thailand No 1 since 2010. He finished the Boonchu event at tied 25th.