Rattanon Wannasrichan clinched his first Asian Tour title yesterday with a two-shot win at the Thailand Open, delighting the home crowd with a cool-headed round that parried a late Shiv Kapur challenge.
The 21-year-old’s pillar-to-post victory capped a remarkable week for the young Thai star, whose 21-under for the tournament (263) saw him fend off India’s Kapur who hit 10 birdies in a final round charge. Rattanon wobbled slightly on the 18th, dropping a shot to finish on 67 for the day, setting up a nervy finish with Kapur, who had rattled in the birdies all day for a fourth round 63. But Kapur fell two shots short, undone by a pair of bogeys. That left him level in second place with compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar whose title challenge was undone by a stuttering front nine on the final day.
The Indian pair finished on 19-under (265), two shots clear of Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat. Rattanon becomes only the fourth Thai to win the event since it was first staged in 1965.
Leading scores
263 — Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 62-69-65-67
265, Shiv Kapur 70-67-65-63, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 65-66-67-67
267- Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 64-69-64-70
268 — Danthai Boonma (THA) 66-69-67-66
269 — Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 67-67-68-67,
Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 67-67-66-69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 66-68-65-70, Scott Hend (AUS) 69-67-69-64
270 — Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-68-67-66, Gavin Green (MAS) 71-66-67-66, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 71-67-64-68, Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 70-62-68-70, Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol (THA) 68-68-67-67.
Thompson stays on top at LPGA Kingsmill event
Lexi Thompson, seeking her first win of the season, fired a two-under par 69 Saturday to maintain her lead after the third round of the LPGA Kingsmill Championship.
The American stands on 14-under 199 after 54 holes for a three-stroke edge over a crowded leaderboard that comprises a United Nations mix of elite women golfers.
South Korea’s Chun In-Gee is second after shooting a 67 to reach 202.
Thompson had three birdies Saturday and made bogey on the par-3 17th for the second time this week. She doesn’t plan on making any big changes for Sunday’s final round.
“I have to have the same mindset I had the last three days,” said the daredevil Thompson, who arrived on the course for the start of Wednesday’s pro-am round by parachuting out of a airplane.
“I am going to focus on my own game. Hopefully that brings me to where I need to be.”
World number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand fired a 70 to join Australian Lee Min-Jee (67) and South Korea’s Kim Sei-Young (66) in third, five shots adrift of Thompson.
Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom (68), China’s Feng Shanshan (70) and American Danielle Kang (69) share sixth at seven-under 206. American Gerina Piller, Karine Icher of France and South Korean-born Aussie Oh Su-Hyun are among five players tied for ninth at 207.
Kim tallied six birdies, including four on the back nine. She wasn’t pleased with Friday’s second round so she put in some extra time on the driving range and putting greens.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan poses with the trophy after winning the Thailand Open in Bangkok. (AFP)
