Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra was crowned champion at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open today, the overnight leader being confirmed as the winner after the event was cut to 54 holes due to inclement weather.

Naraajie, winner of two ADT events in 2022, started the day well and was already extending his lead when the tournament organizers suspended play at 11.32am local time due to rain and a lightning storm.

“Unfortunately we have had to cancel play for today due to the threat of lightning,” said Tournament Director Phutthisarn Sricharuviphat. “We stopped play at 11.32 and although we waited to see if the weather would improve, by the time we reached 3.15pm the committee judged there would not be enough time remaining for players to prepare and resume play so the tournament was cut to 54 holes.”

Second place was secured by Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, who was three shots back at -12, followed by his compatriot Poom Saksansin in third on -11. Wocheng Ye of China, Australia’s Jack Murdoch and Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong, Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Nopparat Panichphol finished in a group in fourth place on -10.

Ekpharit Wu and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand shared ninth spot on -9, one stroke ahead of compatriots Kosuke Yamamoto and Sirapob Yapala in a tie for 11th.

Weerawish Narkprachar had the most to regret about the poor weather. The Thai player made a scorching start to the final round, reeling off a string of seven birdies on the back nine, making the turn in 30 and added two more birdies without dropping any shots before play was suspended.

Naraajie had a chance to reflect on his improved form as he waited to see if play would resume.

“It’s a shame play was stopped early but the weather was not good. I started the day pretty well, birdied the first hole and the fourth, so I had good momentum but there was a lot of rain and wind out there,” he said.

“It’s nice to finally get my game together this week. I’ve been playing on the Asian Tour since January but I haven’t made any cuts so it’s good to have my A game back.

“I haven’t really made any changes to my game, but I’ve been doing a lot of meditation lately. Stepping up to the Asian Tour, which is the biggest in Asia, is quite a jump. There are a lot of really good players so I needed to upgrade and grow myself to be a better player.

“I feel I’ve got some momentum going after this week so I’m just looking to keep going and keep improving on and off the course. I have a couple of local tournaments coming up and then the next ADT tournament in July so I’m really looking forward to it.

The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offered prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000). The next tournament on the ADT schedule is the inaugural ADT – All Thailand Partnership Trophy at Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club, Chonburi, from July 6-9.

The Singha Pattaya Open will be played from July 13-16, the week after the Partnership Trophy and the first time this event is included on the ADT schedule. One of the most established events on the ATGT, the event has been won a record four times by Thailand’s Prom Meesawat.

Naraajie Ramadhanputra (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhan Putra faced down Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat in a close-fought duel at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open yesterday, the pair matching each other shot for shot for most of the round before Naraajie was able to secure an edge in the rain.

Play was stopped twice in the early afternoon and Naraajie was able to press home the advantage, shooting 64 to lead by three strokes on -15. Chapchai was up by two shots on the day at the start of the back nine but double bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes saw him finish with a 68 and solo second on -12.

“I’m really happy with my game this week,” said Naraajie after his round. “Driving and irons have been good, and also the putting. I made a lot of putts inside 12 feet today so I’m pleased with how things are going.”

“It’s been wet today, we had a couple of breaks for rain. It’s playing different than last year, they cut the rough so it’s changed how the course plays but the greens are pretty nice, they are rolling really good.

Chapchai Nirat (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Winner of the OB Golf Invitational and the PIF Saudi Open on the Asian Development Tour last year, Naraajie is looking to build on his success by playing as often as he can around Asia.

“I won two times last year, which meant I got my Asian Tour card this year, but I haven’t played too well so far. I’m planning to play as much as I can this year to try to keep my card.

“I’m hoping for more events in Indonesia for the ADT, and also for the Asian Tour, this year. It’s a benefit for me to play here in Thailand. We had a lot of ADT tournaments last year in Indonesia which helped me to get my status so now I can play more overseas,” he said.

“The ADT events are good for Indonesian golfers as it gives them more opportunity to play against the best players on the Asian Tour and the ADT, it’s good to compete with these guys,” he added.

“This course has a lot of birdie opportunities and there are so many players here who can shoot low tomorrow so I will try hard and hope for the best.”

Poom Saksansin (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Thailand’s Poom Saksansin posted another 66 to match yesterday’s score and sits in third place on -11.

China’s Wocheng Ye and Jack Murdoch of Australia both managed to advance up the leaderboard, with Ye posting the day’s low round with a seven-under-par 63, and Murdoch a 64. They share fourth spot on -10 with the Thai trio of Runchanapong Youprayong, Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Nopparat Panichphol.

Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai share ninth spot on -9, one stroke ahead of compatriots Kosuke Yamamoto and Sirapob Yapala.

The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000). The four day event concludes tomorrow (May 28).

Main Picture: Naraajie Ramadhan Putra (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat made a determined assault on the leader board in Round Two of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open today, posting a bogey-free eight under par round to take the lead at -10 going into the weekend.

With four birdies on each side, Chapchai was making the most of a new putter and despite the wind, made sure to stamp his mark on the tournament with a 62.

“Good game for me today,” he said following his round. “Strong wind so it was a bit difficult but my tee shots were good, putting was also good.”

“I have a new putter this week, and it’s feeling great. I needed to change after the International Series Vietnam. My short game was really good there but the putter wasn’t working so I changed and now it feels really good.”

“Tomorrow we will see. Two more days but my game is feeling good so let’s see.”

Naraajie Ramadhan Putra (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Naraajie Ramadhan Putra of Indonesia posted another low round with a five under par 65, building on his first round score of -4 to secure solo second place on -9.

Nirun Sae-ueng of Thailand lies in third spot on -8, followed by a group of -7 in fourth spot, led by Poom Saksansin who also scored a bogey-free round of 66.

“I had a good round today, I did quite well,” Poom said after his round. “There was a lot of wind and it was hot but I just tried to keep it in the fairway and make the putts.

“Putting was OK but I was leaving a lot short. The greens break less than you think and you need to give the putts a little bit more because the greens are a bit slow from the rain this morning.

“Hole seven I thought I did OK, hit two good shots but then missed the putt for birdie, and then on 12, I hit it over the green and thought I was going to drop a shot but ended up holing a long putt for par.

“I’m going to rest and hopefully get a good recovery and then tomorrow try to go low again,” he added.

Poom Saksansin (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Overnight leaders Nopparat Panichphol and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand were unable to capitalize on their position today, both posting even par rounds of 70, and together with compatriot Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng complete the group in fourth place.

Joe Heraty of England sits in a group on -6 in eighth place, together with Thai players Jakkanat Inmee, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij, Ekpharit Wu and Arnond Vongvanij.

And in spite of the strong winds, a sweetly-struck nine iron at the eight hole made it a day to remember for Thailand’s Nutdanai Nuangjaknin who holed out for an ace on the 158-yard par 3.

The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000).

Main picture: Chapchai Nirat (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai took full advantage of his early start in the Laguna Phuket Open today, posting a seven under par 63 in light wind conditions to secure an early clubhouse lead.

However, despite the heavier conditions in the afternoon, countryman Nopparat Panichphol was up to the challenge, opening his round with three birdies to chase down the lead in the rain.

“I made a good start,” said Nopparat after his round. ” It was very windy but I was driving the ball well, hitting the center fairway and getting the ball on the green. The only trouble I had was on the fifth hole when I pushed my drive left and ended up with a bogey.”

“My putting was good today,” he added, “only 27 putts and hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow.”

Nopparat Panichphol (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

“I played pretty good today, happy with the day,” said Atiruj after his round. “Driving, putting and iron play was all good especially the putting. The greens are tricky here and difficult to read, and you have to watch the grain.”

“I’ve played here a few times and I like the course, it was in good condition today. There was a bit of wind, but in the morning not too strong. Wind is picking up though and it might rain later, so I’m happy that I played early,” he added.

“My driving was OK, but I had a lucky break on hole 7. Pulled my drive and it hit the cart path but I was lucky it only landed in the rough and I was able to make birdie.”

Naraajie Ramadhanputra of Indonesia (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Thailand’s Arnond Vongvanij was another of the afternoon starters to master the weather conditions, posting a bogey free round of 64 to secure solo third place. He edged compatriots Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij and Nirun Sae-Ueng down one spot after their early rounds of five under par. Thailand’s Warun Ieamgaew later joined them in fourth as the day drew to a close.

Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra leads a group in seventh place with a four under par 66, joined by Australia’s Jack Murdoch, Joe Heraty of England and the Thai pair of Jakkanat Inmee and Charng-Tai Sudsom.

Fadhli Soetarso of Indonesia, Malaysia’s Paul San and Englishman Matt Killen are the remaining visitors in the top third of the leaderboard on three under, where they are placed with a strong Thailand contingent, including Asian Tour regulars Poom Saksansin, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Natipong Srithong.

The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000).

Main photo: Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)