Teen in stunning debut
Nineteen-year-old amateur Manuschaya Zeemakorn produced a spectacular front-nine performance to win the Bt1 million Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Championship at the Royal Hill Golf Resort & Spa in Nakhon Nayok yesterday.
The teenager, who was a member of the 2017 SEA Games gold medal women’s team, fired five birdies on the front and recovered from two bogeys “coming home” to create an ending birdie for a final round 68 at the opening circuit of 2018 Thai LPGA Tour.
Her total of six under-par-210 propelled her to a three-shot win over Wannasiri Sirisampant, whose 70 gave her aq three-round total of 213.
“It’s amazing to play my first Thai LPGA event and win. I had no pressure playing with the pros. They have been really nice to me,” said
Manuschaya, a student at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammast University. Her next goal is to make the cut at the Asian Games in Indonesia in August.
However Manuschaya was not eligible for the winner’s cheque of Bt 142,500 due to her amateur status. Home girl Wannasiri was there for entitled to the top prize money.
“I didn’t win but the top prize money is good enough for me,” said the 27-year-old Wannasiri.
Kent State University’s new graduate Wad Phaewchimplee followed a stroke behind at lone third on 214. She took the runner-up money of Bt96,285.
The next Thai LPGA event, also with a total prize money of Bt1 million, will stop at Kabin Buri Sport Club in Pachinburi between April 4-6.
