Teen Suradit keeps Jazz, Chawalit at bay, emerges
Teenage rising star Suradit Youngcharoenchai fired a final round 68 to beat Jazz Janewattananond and Chawalit Plaphol by two strokes for his maiden title in the Bt 2million Singha Hua Hin Open at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club yesterday.
The 18-year-old from Nakhon Pathom fired four birdies against a lone bogey for a winning score of 16-under-par 268 at the par-71, 6,676-yard course.
After two years as a pro, Suradit finally celebrated his first win after coming close several times only to settle for second, which included in the All Thailand Tour event in Laem Chabang earlier this month.
“I feel so relieved now, “ said Suradit who earned the winning cheque of Bt300,000. “I finally did it after so many heartbreaking defeats. From now on, I will be playing golf with more fun, “ said Suradit, who also had to be content with the runner-up position in an Asian Tour in Indonesia last year.
The teenager, however, said he learned his lesson from the past which helped him to become mentally tougher against the more experienced Chawalit and Jazz, who have won so many events before.
“I became calmer on the greens. I remained focused on my game plan by hitting the fairways and tried to make good putts on the greens. I never lost my concentration throughout the day, “ said Suradit, who will next play an Asian Tour event in India in two weeks time.
Jazz, who won the previous All Thailand Tour event, came tied second on 14-under along with Chawalit. Each signed off with 68 for the prize money of Bt149,500.
