From bogey to birdie, underdog Thanpisit snatches maiden title

It would have been an easier day for the 21-year-old from Ayutthaya if he had only saved par on the 18th hole, having held a one-stroke lead over Nattapong at the par-72 Kabin Buri Sports Club course. 
However, a miscued tee shot saw him card a closing bogey and a final round 70 at 11 under-par-277 to tie him with his arch rival.
Shrugging off that disappointment, the little-known player recovered to make a successful long birdie putt in the play-off – Nattapong watched in disbelief before missing his own. 
Finally, the underdog closed the deal for his maiden title.

“Even after I made that bogey on the 18th, I didn’t feel discouraged as I knew I was hitting the iron well,” said Thanpisit whose best attempt on a tour was a fourth place finish in the All Thailand Masters in Chiangrai two years ago.
“Then I tried to hit the fairway in the play-off and hoped to make birdie. Although I was 33 feet away from the pin (with Nattapong 27 feet away), I had an easier lie than he did. After the ball sank in, I knew I had the title,” said the senior student of the Suphan Buri Provincial Physical Education College.
Despite a lack of experience, the young gun showed no sign of nerves in his first time playing in the final squad.
“I felt even more fun to stay neck-and-neck with Nattapong. He was actually playing so well coming from seven shots behind to catch up with me,” said  Thanpisit, who had the biggest checque in his career of BT240,000.
“I have spent all of my time on golf by training at the academy in Khon Kaen since January and that paid off. I now want to qualify for the Asian Tour next year.”