Yin makes history on All Thailand Golf Tour

The 21-year-old from Yangon shot a 74 in the final round of the Singha Championship at the par-71, 6,211-yard Rayong Green Valley Country Club yesterday, beating Chommapat Phongthanarak of Thailand by three strokes.

“I am the happiest person in the world. Everybody in my family back at home is so happy,” said Yin, who joined the tour last year. Yin, who shot a three-day score of five-over-par 218, became the first non-Thai to win a title since the women’s category began in 2006. Her previous best was a fourth position in the Chiang Mai Open last August.

“The big turnaround was on the second day. I hit my irons well and made birdies when I got the chance. In fact, I didn’t feel comfortable with my swing and my irons a couple of weeks ago. So I worked really hard with my coach before the tournament, and it paid off,” said Yin, who won Bt32,000, the biggest purse of her career.

Yin played on the men’s tour back home whenever she got a chance. Since there was no professional tour for women in Myanmar, Yin decided to move to Bangkok last year to pursue a career. “I played twice on the men’s tour after I turned professional. My goal is to play on the LPGA but I have to start winning in Asia, especially on the China Tour,” said Yin.

Pavit in front

In the men’s third-round action, Pavit Tangkamolprasert overcame food poisoning to shoot a 66 for a four-stroke lead over young rival Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol.

Physically weak at the start of the day, the 27-year-old midway leader suffered two bogeys after four holes that chipped away his three-shot advantage against 2016 All Thailand rookie Chanachok, who overtook him with birdies on holes 1, 2 and 4.

But after having some energy drink, Pavit recovered to shoot six straight brides from holes No 5– 10. He was again saved by a rain break at the 16th hole before returning an hour later to save par for a three-day total of 17 under-par-196.

“I really had no energy when I teed-off because I vomited everything that I ate. I just felt a bit better after I had an energy drink and luckily I had a birdie on the fifth, which was the turning point,” said Pavit.

“I almost fainted on the 13th hole as I felt so weak walking up the hill. But I kept saying to hang in there and try and finish the round. The rain break really helped me. Hopefully, after spending a night at the hospital I will feel better and get ready for the final round,” said Pavit, who is looking for his first All Thailand win in almost three years.

Four shots off the leader was 21-year-old Chanachok, who shot a 67 for a  13-under-par 200. Pannakorn Uthaipas, with a 68, was third at 203.