Itthipat and Benyapa take amateur crowns
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Teenager Itthipat Buranatanyarat enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory in the men's individual category to claim the King Rama VII title in the 78th Singha Thailand Amateur Open, the country's oldest amateur event, at Panya Indra Golf Club yesterday.
Heading into the final day on top of the leaderboard from the opening round, Itthipat, 19, a member of the national squad for the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar, had three birdies and two bogeys to sign off with 1-under 71.
Itthipat’s four-day total of 16-under 272 reflected his dominance in a field that included golfers from 14 countries; South Korea, Taiwan, Denmark, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Guam and hosts Thailand.
Sri Lanka’s Thangaraja finished far behind Itthipat in second spot on 7-under 281, while Samarth Dwivedi of India was two strokes back in third place.
“I’m excited and very happy to win this tournament. It’s the biggest trophy of my career so far. Today, I didn’t hit the ball as well as in the first three days. Nevertheless, I managed to escape with a par on several holes.
“Fortunately, the Sri Lankan also made mistakes and that helped me win the title a bit more easier. After this, I’ll put my focus on the training for the Games in Burma (Myanmar),” Itthipat said.
Fifteen-year-old Benyapa Niphatsophon followed up her triumph at the Junior World in the United States in July with a victory in the women’s class by recording a 6-under 282, three strokes ahead of Princess Superal of the Philippines in second spot. Compatriot Parinda Phokan finished a further stroke back in third.
“I feel honoured to win this title. My experience of competing abroad helped me a lot. I don’t get nervous when facing foreign athletes. I want to extend my education in the United States and then turn professional after graduation,” said Benyapa.
