FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

‘Piano’ hits high note with birthday victory

‘Piano’ hits high note with birthday victory

BIRTHDAY girl Apichaya Yubol fired a flawless final round of 66 to beat Chakansim Khamborn by eight strokes for her maiden title in the Bt1-million Singha-SAT Thailand LPGA Championship leg 4 at the par-72, 6,411 yard Royal Golf Club course in Hua Hin yesterday.

The Saraburi-based player celebrated her 16th birthday with three birdies on both the front and back nines to win her first crown after two years on the pro circuit. Her three-day total of eight-under-par-208 made it impossible for other competitors to catch her, with runner-up Chakansim Khamborn coming in second after a final 70 for even-par 216.

“Winning your first title on your birthday is so special. I’m extremely happy,” said the Saraburi Wittayakom School student whose eight-stroke victory is the biggest winning margin on the Thai LPGA Tour by far this season.

“I was playing well the whole day as I had no pressure at all. Too bad my mother couldn’t be here to celebrate with me, so this win is for her” back at home in Saraburi.

Apichaya, or “Piano” as she’s known to friends and family, may have earned Bt142,500 in prize money but she has no plans to spend it herself. She will donate Bt20,000 for a scholarship to her school while the rest will be given to her 14-year-old brother Chaiyawattana, who was carrying the bag for her this week. “I promised I would give him all the money if I won. I have to keep my word,” she said.

The Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Tour will next stop at the Rayong Green Valley Country Club between June 2 and 8. 

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