Natthapong Wins Singha SAT Championship
Hua Hin - Unfancied Natthapong Niyomchon lifted up his first Thailand PGA Tour title after he carded a bogey free 65 to win the BT3 Million Singha SAT Championship at the par 21 3,570 yard Majestic Creek Golf Club on Sunday,
The 28-year-old Natthapong combined an overall score of 16-under-par 272 to beat the trio of Poom Saksansin, Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Thepbadin Amaranan by four strokes for the top prize money of BT435,000. Although this was his first Thailand PGA win, it was his second career title after winning the Asean PGA Championship in Malaysia last year.
“I’m really speechless. I did not expect to win because several good players trying to catch up with me while Thepbadin was playing well. Perhaps playing without pressure was the key for me as I was quite relaxed all day,” said the man from Nakhon Sawan.
Natthapong whose previous best attempt on the Thai Tour was at second at the Kabin Buri Sport Club in 2013 was trailing Chiang Rai born Thepbadin by a shot after 11 holes. But the latter who was then on the top of the scoreboard with 16 under started showing signs of unfamiliarity in the leading squad shot four bogeys to quickly fade away.
Natthapong on the contrast only hit the fairways and never missed his putts. In fact he committed just three bogeys this week, all came during the second round on Thursday.
“I made few mistakes this week which really helped. I didn’t play well recently and just missed the cut in Taiwan last week. I didn’t think of wining here at all until I made a crucial birdie on the 15 th while Thepbadin bogeyed on the 14 th,” said Natthapong who turned professional eight years ago.
Thepbadin admitted he was obsessed with the desire to win too much that it led him to erratic play.
“I wanted to win so much and lost my focus. I have never been in this situation before and that took a toll on me. I just couldn’t make the putts in the end,” said the 31-year-old Thepadin who signed off with a 70 and a four day total of 12-under-par 276.
Young gun Poom Saksansin, 22 years old from Chanthaburi, hit an error free 66 to share the three-way second place along with Pariya who also had a bogey free round of 67. Each took home runner-up prize money of BT188,000.
Overnight leader Thanyakorn Krongpha who started the day with a stroke lead stumbled to a 75 to land at joint eighth with a total 280 along with Chapchai Nirat, Kitdanai Suphasirises and Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol.
