THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

Chonburi - Hosts Thailand will head into Sunday’s singles competition with a 10-6  lead over Japan after completing their foursomes and fourballs duel in the Amata Friendship Cup at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chon Buri on Saturday.

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

Thongchai Jaidee and Pornanong Phatlum (Photo credit to Naratip Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images)

Thailand, with a 5-3 lead after Friday's play, won the morning’s foursomes 3-1 and drew 2-2 with the visitors in the afternoon’s fourballs as a huge crowd finally turned out for the inaugural mixed team golf event.

In the morning’s foursomes, the Kingdom conceded the first point when Thongchai Jaidee and Thidapa Suwannapura lost to Masahiro Kawamura and Erika Hara 2&3. This was the third point the 19-year-old Hara has won for her country.

“I am really enjoying the competition. This is my first overseas trip, so I’m really happy,” said the Japanese teenager who only turned professional this year.

Thailand fought back when long-time friends Ariya Jutanugarn and young gun Jazz Janewattananond fired six birdies with no bogeys to beat PGA Tour RBC Heritage’s champion Satoshi Kodaira   and Sakura Koiwai 7&5.

“We got along very well and had the same game plan. We hit our shots first and fixed things up later. We were playing unbelievably, while the Japanese team could not bring their best form,” said the 23-year-old Jazz, from Hua Hin.

“Actually Ariya and I have been friends since the junior years. She has improved a lot and is probably the best player in the world right now. I’ve got to learn from her and from Satoshi who is PGA Tour champion.  I realised I have plenty of room to improve,” said the two-time Asian Tour champion.

Ariya also saw tremendous change in her old friend, winner of the 2017 Bangladesh Open and July’s Queen’s Cup.

“Jazz was playing so well that he could have played alone without me. He’s improved so much from the old days,” said two-time Major champion Ariya.

Thailand won the seventh point from amateur Sadom Kaewkanjana and Women’s British Open runner-up Pornanong Phatlum after they outclassed Yuto Katsuragawa and Mami Fukuda 6&5.

“I hit tee shots and approach shots most of the time on the front nine and left Pornanong to take care of the putts. She made great putts from everywhere on the greens,” said the 20-year-old Sadom who will turn professional after this tournament.

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

Jazz Janewattananond (Photo credit to Naratip Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images)

Prom Meesawat and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras wrapped up the morning’s session with another win for the home team, beating Ryuko Tokimatsu and Nasa Hataoka 1 up.

In the afternoon’s fourballs, it looked like Thailand would take full control again before two-time Japan Tour winner Kodai Ichihara and Mami Fukuda, ranked No 118 on the LPGA Tour,  fought back from one down after 15 holes to beat three-time Asian Tour No 1 Thongchai Jaidee and  Pornanong 1 up.

Thailand had to be content with two points from Jazz and Thai No 2 Moriya Jutanugarn and from Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya. Jazz and Moriya ousted Masahiro Kawamura and Fumika Kawagishi 2&1. Jazz is the only Thai player to win all three matches he played.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya produced the 10th point for the home team, beating Satoshi Kodaira  and Nasa Hataoka 2&1 in the group that draw the biggest crowd of the day.

In the last match, Prayad Marksaeng and Atthaya Thitikul were no match for the red-hot Hideko Tanihara and Yuri Yoshida who relied on their sharp putts to win 5&3.

A total of 12 points are up for grabs in Sunday’s singles, with the first nation to earn 14.5 points clinching the trophy. Despite a four-point lead, Thai captains Boonchu Ruangkit and Virada Nirapathpongporn don't consider they are in the driver’s seats.

“Japanese players are quite strong physically, especially the women. But Thai players are fighters. There will be exciting battles on Sunday,” said Boonchu, 62.

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

Erika Hara 

Virada , the first Thai player to earn a full card on the LPGA Tour, said: “There’s no guarantee at this point as this is match-play competition. The momentum can shift anytime. All of the Japanese players putt well so they can be dangerous on Sunday.”

“We were leading but for the singles competition, the Japanese women hit further except for Ariya. Even if one side is three up, the other will still fight back and put up a fight until the end.

Japanese captain Joe Ozaki still believes his side can turn things around.

Even though we've fallen behind, it’s not a big lead. We still have plenty of points available to come back in the competition. Japan has good teamwork and will try hard to win.”

Saturday Foursomes

Thailand 3, Japan 1

Thongchai Jaidee and Thidapa Suwannapura lost to Masahiro Kawamura and Erika Hara 2&3

Prom Meesawat and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras beat Ryuko Tokimatsu and Nasa Hataoka 1 up, followed lop-sided wins

Jazz Janewattananond and Ariya Jutanugarn beat Satoshi Kodaira  and Sakura Koiwai 7&5

Sadom Kaewkanjana and Pornanong Phatlum beat Yuto Katsuragawa and Mami Fukuda 6&5

Saturday Fourballs

Thailand 2, Japan 2

Jazz Janewattananond and Moriya Jutanugarn beat Masahiro Kawamura and Fumika Kawagishi 2&1

Thongchai Jaidee and Pornanong Phatlum lost to Kodai Ichihara and Mami Fukuda 1 down

Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya Jutanugarn beat  Satoshi Kodaira  and Nasa Hataoka 2&1

Prayad Marksaeng and Atthaya Thitikul lost to Hideko Tanihara and Yuri Yoshida 3&5

 

nationthailand