Gunn shoots down back-to-back Thai PGA titles
Red-hot Gunn Charoenkul clinched back-to-back Thailand PGA Tour titles with a play-off victory in the Bt2-million Singha-SAT Nakhon Nayok Classic at the Royal Hill Golf Resort and Spa in Nakhon Nayok on Sunday.
Two weeks after celebrating his first win of the season in Hua Hin, the 28-year-old kept his cool to sink a 21-foot championship birdie putt at the par-4 hole 18. The reward for his weekend’s work at the par-71 layout over 7,172 yards was a winner’s cheque for Bt240,00.
“For the first time in my life, I have won back-to-back on a tour,” said Gunn, who was tied with Nirun at 12-under-par 201 in regulation. “This is also the first time that I fought my way back to win. It will benefit me in terms of mental toughness from now on,” he added.
Gunn admitted he gave up hope of winning after a disastrous triple bogey on the ninth hole that pushed him back to nine-under. But three more birdies on the back nine sent him back upfront alongside Nirun. Heavy-favourite and multi-time international champion Prayad Marksaeng was leading on 14-under with three holes to play, then stumbled with a double bogey and bogey which deprived him of a play-off as he settled for a 202 for joint third place with Prom Meesawat.
“Prayad was just unlucky on the 16th hole. Normally he is a very solid player. As for me, I expect to see some big change in my game in tournaments to come,” Gunn added.
Prom Meesawat