Chanachok a winner again

Phuket  - Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol resisted a late challenge from Rattanon Wannasrichan to snatch his first Asian Development Tour title with a one-stroke victory in the Bt2 million Singha Phuket Open at the Laguna Golf Phuket yesterday.
The big-hitter from Tak province lead his 2011 SEA Games gold-medal winning team-mate by four strokes after 15 holes before back-to-back bogeys on holes 16 and 17 holes reduced the gap to just two.
Rattanon shot a birdie on the 18th but it was not enough to force a play-off as he settled for a 64 and 26-under-par 254, one shot behind the leader Chanachok, who saved a par to turn in a 67 card for 27-under 253 and completing wire-to-wire victory.
“I was really nervous and put my attention on Rattanon instead of focusing on my game on the 16th and 17th. But I knew I just have to save par on the 18th to win,” said the 23-year-old, who picked up his second all Thailand Tour win following his maiden at the Rayong Green Valley Country Club in March.

“I am so happy to win my first ADT title and the second on the All Thailand Tour. I had a nightmare last night that I was late for the tee-off and woke up at 3am,” said the champion.
Chanachok will take a break for a week and then chase glory again in the All Thailand Tour event at the Singha Park Khon Kaen between June 8-11 and the Asian Tour’s Queen’s Cup in Samui a week later.
“My goal is to win the Order of Merit on the All Thailand Tour and keep my card on the Asian Tour as I just got through the Q-School this year,” said Chanachok, who took home the winner’s prize of Bt300,000.
Rattanon, 21, who claimed the Thailand Open in Chachoengsao last Sunday, failed in his attempt to win back-to-back titles.

“I put up a good fight but Chanachok was too good. Too bad I couldn’t hit a birdie on the 16th but it was a tough hole,” said Rattanon, who claimed the runner-up prize money of Bt185,000.
“I started poorly on the first day but managed to finish second. So this is beyond my expectations. I’m going to South Korea with more confidence and I hope to win there,” said Rattanon.
Sutijet Kooratanapisan recorded his personal best of 59 with nine birdies and an eagle for 24-under 256 to finish third. He also broke the tournament’s lowest score of 60 set by Rattanon on Saturday.
“This is my best. I had a 60 on a  par-72 course in Malaysia last year. I don’t know what happened today but everything went my way. I was expecting to play five-under,” said the man from Ratchaburi.