Panuphol secures breakthrough win
Panuphol Pittayarat shot a brilliant ending 65 to claim his first Asian Tour crown as Thais dominated a record top five finish in the US$300,000 Indonesian Open at the Pondok Indah Golf Course yesterday.
The 24-year-old had to complete six holes postponed from Saturday’s third round due to unplayable condition on Sunday’s morning before carding eight birdies against a lone bogey in the final round for a total 23 under-par-265 for his maiden Tour win since earning the card in 2011.
“It has been six years and I am very happy with this win. Even though played 24 holes today, it was a good day because I felt very comfortable out there playing with two Thais. It was a bad decision on hole four which I ended up with a bogey, but that was the only hole that I did not do too well on,” said Panuphol who lost his girlfriend in a road accident earlier this year.
Panuphol who turned pro at only 14 also won his first All Thailand Tour in the Singha Masters in Chiang Rai in April, just seven days after he lost the love of his life.
“I just stayed in the present and did not think about what was going to happen. I came out this week with a new mentality to just enjoy golf and stick to my routine regardless of the result. Coming down hole 18, I totally did not know what I was shooting just took it one shot at a time,” said Panuphol called Coconut by his parents who named (nickname) all three children as fruits.
Following five shots behind was countryman Tirawat Kaewsiribandit who shot a final 67 to total 18 under-par-270 for his best result on the Asian Tour at lone second.
“Best finish on the Asian tour this week and I am very happy. I know coco is a very good player so I just played my own game and tried my best,” said the 28-year-old from Kon Kaen.
Thai players fully occupied the top five for the first time on the Asian Tour. Young gun Jazz Janewattananond settled at tied third along with Namchok Tantipokhakul, each with a 273.
Thailand Open winner Rattanon Wannasrichan, the midway leader, rounded up the top five with a 274 which marked his first top 10 finish on the Tour since winning (Thailand Open) at home in May.
