Nitithorn and Itthipat to lead local challenge in Phuket
In-form Nitithorn Thippong and Itthipat Buranatanyarat are hoping to build on their recent success to vie for more glory at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open to start tomorrow at par-70 Laguna Golf Phukt.
Co-sanctioned by All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) and Asian Development Tour (ADT), the Bt 2 million event, serving as the fourth leg of the ATGT 2018, will feature 144 players to fight for the winner’s cheque of Bt 300,000.
Among pre-contenders for the coveted trophy are Nitithorn and Itthipat, who are going to approach the course in confident mood on the back of their recent achievements. The former earned himself the breakthrough ADT victory on Sunday while the latter got his third Thai PGA tour in March.
Looking for his back-to-back ADT titles after last week’s success in Malaysia, the 22-year-old Nitithorn has become more confident in his game and he hopes to build on that to add one more title to his cabinet.
"To win the tournament outside the country for the first time will definitely boost my confidence going into the tournament,” said the golfer, who is now setting a sight on winning his first ATGT trophy.
“I don’t think about whether I am on home ground. I will use the experience I gained from playing in the final group and have fun this week.”
While Nitithorn is seeking his maiden win on the 20-year tour, Itthipat wants to end his three-year title drought after getting his only ATGT title at the Singha Championship at Rayong Green Valley Club in 2015. Like Nitithorn, the 24-year-old Itthipat will confidently enter the event following last month’s win in Nakhon Nayok, which was his third Thai PGA tour success.
Joining them include Kasidit Lepkurte, ranked 12th in the ATGT money list and Pawin Ingkapradit. The local hopefuls will face the tough challenges in Americans Blake Snyder and Michael O’toole, Martine Dive of Australia, Mathiam Keyser of South and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden.
At the inaugural edition last year, the title belonged to Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol, who won by one shot on 27-under. Unfortunately, he is not available to defend the title this year.
