An albatross on the tricky par-five ninth hole saw Korea’s Woohyun Kim soar into the lead of the Singha Pattaya Open today, although a dropped shot on the back nine opened the door for Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto to join him at the top.

Kim, who began the day in a share of fifth place, started strongly with three birdies in the first four holes. An albatross on nine, with a birdie shortly after, accelerated his charge to the top.

“It was a good start. I birdied the first hole which put me in a good mood for the day,” he said after his round.

“On the ninth tee, I hit a good drive and thought I would be able to reach it in two because it was quite a short hole. I hit my rescue but I couldn’t see where it landed.”

“When I got to the green I could see a ball on the green but I wasn’t sure if it was my ball, I certainly didnt think mine was in the hole,” he said after revealing that this was his first ever albatross.

“Tomorrow I’m just going to take it shot by shot, I need to stay calm and focus on my game, not on whether I am going to win or not.”

Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Kosuke, leader after the first round and fresh off a victory in the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy last week, showed intent with seven birdies during his round, but three dropped shots slowed his advance.

“The round was OK, but I scored better than I played today, I didn’t really leave any shots out there and the putter was working for me,” said Kosuke after his round. “The bogeys were just some little mental mistakes here and there but I’m happy with the way I bounced back after all the dropped shots today.

“I’m pretty confident that what me and my team have been working on is the right path and we just have to keep doing what we are doing. Tomorrow is another round, whehether I win or not life goes on and I just have to keep focusing on what I’m doing.”

The third round of the THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, enjoyed uninterrupted play at the Laem Chabang International Country Club and will concluded tomorrow.

Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Matthew Cheung (65) of Hong Kong posted a bogey-free round of five-under-par to sit in solo third after briefly sharing the lead on the back nine.

Sangchai Kaewcharoen (66) also made it through 18 holes without dropping a shot. An eagle on the par 5 second hole and a couple of birdies lifted him into a share of fourth place on -13, together with fellow Thai Charng-Tai Sudsom and international entrants Heungchol Joo of Korea (68), Malaysia’s Paul San (65) and Wei-hsuan Wang (65) of Chinese Taipei.

Poom Saksansin, who held the overnight lead, started steadily but dropped a couple of shots before an eagle on the par 5 ninth hole got him back on track. A birdie and bogey on the back nine saw him finish the day on even par.

Aside from leader Kim, the day’s low score of 64 was shared by a number of players including Chayodom Chanjaruphong and Nitithorn Thippong who moved up the leaderboard into an all-Thai group at ninth, accompanied by Poom, Pattaraphol Khanthacha, Pawin Ingkhapradit and Natipong Srithong.

In 15th place were Thailand’s Thitipat Lem, Prom Meesewat, Nopparat Panicphol, Phanuvich Onchu, Danthai Boonma and Phachara Khongwatmai.

Rounding out the top 25 were Thailand’s Krittin Sunthornnon, Supravee Phatam and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit and India’s Chikkarangappa S.

Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines also scored a low-score 64 despite a bogey on the sixth hole. His efforts lifted him into a share of 25th place alongside China’s Wocheng Ye and Vanchai Luangnitikul and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan of Thailand.

Main picture: Woohyun Kim of Korea pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Three-time Asian Tour winner Poom Saksansin posted a second six-under-par round of 64 to take a slender lead into the weekend at the Singha Pattaya Open, leading the field by one shot at the Laem Chabang International Country Club.

Poom, who dropped just one shot shot in his round, faces a strong challenge from some of Thailand’s best known golfers, including overnight leader Kosuke Hamamoto who shares second place on -11 with Heungchol Joo of Korea.

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit holds solo third place on -10 while Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, Sangchai Kaewcharoen, Natipong Srithong, Phachara Khongwatmai and Itthipat Buranatanyarat share fifth place with Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong and Korea’s Woohyun Kim. Danthai posted the best round of the day with an eight-under-par 62.

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

“I just tried to enjoy the game today,” said Poom after his round. “My putting is good right now and my driving was good, better than last week. My coach came down on Tuesday to help me with some things, helped to fix my swing.

“The course was nice, the greens are really fast but it was hot out there. No rain, which was good, better than last week,” he added.

“Tomorrow I’m just going to try to make as many birdies as possible. I think the winning score is going to be at least -20, and the course is quite open. It’s pretty soft and smooth so I think there are a lot of birdies out there.

“It’s a strong field, and it’s better to be in front than behind, but I think I’ll need to play well to win this tournament. It’s difficult to predict but I’ll try my best.”

Danthai Boonma of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

In 12th place, on eight-under-par, Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei and Paul San of Malaysia maintained international honours against the Thai group of Pawan Petchyoo, Pawin Ingkhapradit, Tawit Polthai and Charng-Tai Sudsom.

Matt Killen of England, India’s Chikkarangappa S, Wocheng Ye of China and Justin Quiban of the Philippines finished the day with a share of 18th place on seven-under-par, together with Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha, Phanuvich Onchu, Ekpharit Wu, Supravee Phatam, KK Limbhasut, Weerawish Narkprachar, Nopparat Panicphol and Sarun Sirithon.

The second round of the THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, enjoyed the benefit of fine weather and was completed on schedule. The cut at -3 will see 70 players making it to the weekend.

Main picture: Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto, winner of last week’s ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy showed he is looking to extend his winning streak in the first round of the Singha Pattaya Open today, posting an eight-under-par 62 to lead the field.

Compatriot Nopparat Panichphol, who also started on the back nine in the morning wave, opened strongly with a string of four birdies and kept Kosuke in his sights one shot back. Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, who started in the afternoon, also posted a 63 to share second place.

Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

The THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, posted a full field of 144 players and is being held at the Laem Chabang International Country Club from July 13-16.

In fourth place, Korea’s Woohyun Kim and Malaysia’s Amir Nazrin posted bogey free rounds of 64 to join Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, Natipong Srithong and Tudpong Chutimaphorn. Thai compatriots Ekpharit Wu and Tawit Polthai dropped shots during their round but also finished on six-under-par.

Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong scored well to head a group in 11th place with a five-under-par 65, alongside fellow international contenders Justin Quiban of the Philippines and the Indian pair of Chikkarangappa S and Udayan Mane.

They were joined by a strong Thai grouping, led by Phachara Khongwatmai, Chapchai Nirat and Suttijet Kooratanapisan, together with Charng-Tai Sudsom, Poom Pattarapong, Krittin Sunthornnon, Vanchai Luangnitikul, Sangchai Kaewcharoen and Thanpisit Omsin.

In 24th place, on four-under-par, England’s Matt Killen and Paul Harris of the USA, together with Heungchol Joo of Korea, Ayoud Lguirati of Morocco and India’s Rahil Gangee were joined by Thailand’s Suttinon Panyo, Amarin Kraivixien, Denwit Boriboonsub, Weerawish Narkprachar, Poosit Supupramai, Pawan Petchyoo, Pisitchai Thippong, Phanuvich Onchu, Tirawat Kaewsribandit and Thitipat Lem.

Main picture: Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto held his nerve and secured victory in the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday, his clubhouse lead of 13 under was enough to win despite finishing with five of the leading groups still out on the course.

Starting the day in 12th place on seven under par, Kosuke opened with five birdies in his front nine, and once play restarted after several delays due to rain and lightning storms, he just needed to pick up one more shot on his back nine to keep his nose in front.

In second place, Settee Prakongvech also shot a six-under-par 65 but had to settle for finishing one shot back at 12 under with fellow Thais Witchayapat Sinsrang and Waris Manthorn. Waris, who led the first two rounds at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, was in contention during the final day but a bogey on the last hole denied him a chance at a playoff.

Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech pictured in action the the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Played on the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, this inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour offered a prize fund of THB3 million.

In fifth place, on 11 under, Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom shared the honours with Vanchai Luangnitikul and Phachara Khongwatmai.

One shot further back, at 10 under, was an all-Thai group of Wongsakorn Pikunsawat, Amarin Kraivixien, Panuphol Pittayarat, Newport Laparojkit, Kittiporn Javanapong, Poosit Supupramai and Natipong Srithong.

Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines was the first to finish from the international field, sharing a group in 15th place on 9 under with MJ Viljoen of South Africa, Joe Heraty of England and India’s Khalid Joshi.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong pictured in action the the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

They shared the group with Thailand’s Pol Kemarat and overnight leader Runchanapong Youprayong, who started with a steady string of pars but was derailed by a quadruple bogey eight on the eighth hole which put paid to his thoughts of victory.

Asian Tour veteran Chapchai Nirat and India’s Chikkarangappa S shared 21st place on 8 under, followed by Wocheng Ye of China and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, Kammalas Namuangruk, Suradit Yongchaoenchai and Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij who finished in 23rd place on seven under.

Malaysian duo Shahriffuddin Ariffin and Ervin Chang finished in 28th with six under, together with Thailand’s Sangchai Kooratanapisan.

The Asian Development Tour season continues next week with the Singha Pattaya Open, which is being played at Leam Chabang International Country Club and is also co-sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Main picture: Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto pictured on his way to victory at the the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong seized the advantage in the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy on Saturday, posting a string of birdies after the restart in the storm-delayed third round to finish the day on 15-under-par.

Natipong Srithong was one of the few who managed to keep in touch with Runchanapong, albeit two shots back after posting the low round of the day with a 64 at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya.

Natipong Srithong of Thailand pictured in action during Round Three of the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

The inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour is being played on the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, with a prize fund of THB3 million. The event is being played from July 6-9.

Witchayapat Sinsrang, one of the overnight leaders, held on to a solo third place at 11 under par, one shot ahead of Jakraphan Premsirigorn on -10. Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai and Kittiporn Javanapong led a group in fifth place on -9, which included the top international finishers on the day in Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong and India’s Khalid Joshi.

Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong pictured in action during Round Three of the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Thailand continued to dominate the leaderboard down to ninth place, with Phachara Khongwatmai and Sangchai Kaewcharoen finishing on -8.

Waris Manthorn, who led overnight after the first and second rounds, had a disappointing day with a +2, dropping him into a group in 12th place on -7, together with Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei, Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno and fellow Thais Vanchai Luangnitikul, Newport Laparojkit, Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij, Panuphol Pittayarat, Kosuke Hamamoto and Suradit Yongcharoenchai.

Asian Tour regular Poom Saksansin, who started strongly and held the lead until the threat of lightning stopped play at 11.53am, was unable to capitalize on his advantage and ended the day in a tie for 20th place on -6. He was joined by Abdul Hadi of Singapore and Thai compatriots Tudpong Chutimaphorn, Amazon Kraivixien, Charng-Tai Sudsom, Settee Prakongvech and Kampala Namuangruk.

Witchayapat Sinsrang of Thailand pictured in action during Round Three of the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

England’s Joe Heraty, Shahriffuddin Ariffin of Malaysia, Chikkarangappa S of India, Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines, China’s Wocheng ye and MJ Viljoen of South Africa formed the bulk of a largely international contingent in 27th place on -5, together with Thailand’s Thanyakon Khrongpha and Wongsakorn Pikunsawat.

Sarun Sirithon, who was in the leading group overnight, had a poor start to the day and finished with a 75 and a share of 30th place, joined by Ervin Chang of Malaysia and Thai compatriots Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Suttinon Panyo, Ekpharit Wu and Thanpasit Omsin.

Main picture: Runchanapong Youprayong of Thailand pictured in action during Round Three of the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Overnight leader Waris Manthorn ended up fighting for position on tomorrow’s tee-time after his round today, as five others joined him at the top of the leaderboard on nine-under-par at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy.

Shinichi Mizuno of Japan was the first to post his score after an early start at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya. He was joined later in the day by an exclusively Thai group comprising Sarun Sirithon, Kasuke Hamamoto, Runchanapong Youprayong, late starter Waris and Witchayapat Sinsrang.

Singapore’s Abdul Hadi pictured in action at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
The inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour is being played on the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, with a prize fund of THB3 million. The event is being played from July 6-9.

Abdul Hadi of Singapore joined Thailand’s Poom Saksansin and Wongsakorn Pikunsawat in a share of seventh place on eight-under-par, after all shot rounds of five-under-par 66.

In tenth place, on -7, Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines and Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei are grouped with Thailand’s Kittiporn Javanapong, Charng-Tai Sudsom and Sangchai Kaewcharoen.

Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Pol Kemarat, who started the day at two-over-par, posted the low round of the day with a bogey-free, eight-under-par 63 and joined a group in fifteenth place on -6, together with international players Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong, Malaysia’s Shariffuddin Ariffin and English duo William Harrold and Joe Heraty.

Also on -6 are Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn, Nattaphong Ratchatorn, Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng, Natipong Srithong and Pattaraphol Khanthacha.

Sixty-one players made the cut at -3, including Chikkarangappa S of India, South Africa’s MJ Viljoen, Wocheng Ye of China and Thai Asian Tour regulars Prom Meesawat, Chapchai Nirat, Settee Prakongvech and Suradit Yongcharoenchai who all made it on the number.

Main picture: Shinichi Mizuno of Japan pictured in action at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Thailand’s Waris Manthorn nudged his way into an early lead at the ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy today, concluding his round in the late afternoon to post a one shot lead with a seven-under-par 64.

Playing in the last group off the tee on Thursday, Waris dropped just the one shot and with four birdies on each nine setting him up nicely for an early start tomorrow.

Yu-cheng Ho of Chinese Taipei set the pace in the morning wave as play got underway at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya. He was joined later in the day at six under par by Shinichi Mizuno of Japan and Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto and Kittiporn Javanapong.

Yucheng Ho of Chinese Taipei pictured in action at the inaugural ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy in Pattaya. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Combining the Mountain and Ocean courses at the 27-hole Pattaya venue, the inaugural co-sanctioned event between the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour boasts a full field of 144 players and carries a prize fund of THB 3 million. The event is being played from July 6-9.

As to be expected, a strong Thai contingent made up the bulk of the first day’s leading rounds, with the experienced Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Phachara Khongwatmai finishing the day at five under par, together with compatriot Charng-Tai Sudsom.

England’s William Harrold, who threatened the lead early before a double bogey on his back nine slowed progress, completes the group in fifth place.

China’s Wocheng Ye and South Africa’s MJ Viljoen, together with Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei are among the international players in a group in tenth spot on four under. They are accompanied by Thai players Piya Sawangarunporm, Nattawat Suvajanakorn, Pattaraphol Khanthacha and Rattanon Wannasrichan, together with KK Limbhasut and Sarun Sirithon, winner of the Laguna Phuket Cup last season.

Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the inaugural ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy in Pattaya. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Singapore’s Abdul Hadi started well with an eagle on his first hole, but he was unable to sustain momentum and slipped down the field as his round continued. He sits in a group sharing 20th place, together with fellow international players Chikkarangappa S of India, Filip Lundell of Sweden and the Filipino duo of Justin Quiban and Lloyd Jefferson Go

Notable Thai players also on three under par include Panuphol Pittayart, Poom Saksansin, Natipong Srithong and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan.

Shariffuddin Ariffin of Malaysia, who wan last year’s PKNS Selangor Masters at Kebab Golf Seri Selangor last year, is also tied for 20th at three under.

Main picture: Leader Waris Manthorn of Thailand pictured in action at the inaugural ADT All Thailand Partnership Trophy in Pattaya. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

A fifth tournament in Indonesia, the inaugural OB Golf Championship, has been added to the Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule this season, and will be played on the West Course at Gunung Geulis Country Club, 27-29 September.

The US$70,000 event is one of eight tournaments currently on the schedule – with many more event announcements pending – and the fourth ADT tournament to be promoted by OB Golf, the organisation behind the country’s most lucrative event, the Indonesian Masters, an Asian Tour event that is part of The International Series.

Said Jimmy Masrin from OB Golf and Chairman of the Asian Tour: “OB Golf have long been a supporter of the Asian Development Tour, and golf in Indonesia, so we are delighted to launch a new event, the OB Golf Championship – which will provide another all-important playing opportunity for the region’s up and coming golfers.

“Golf in Indonesia is blossoming once again, and OB Golf are proud to be able to play a key role in helping to promote the game, its players and tournaments. The OB Golf Championship will be an exciting new addition to our portfolio of golfing properties and all efforts will be made to ensure a memorable and successful launch.”

Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra. Picture courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour.

OB Golf also promote The 2nd Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE, the Indonesia Pro-Am and the OB Golf Invitational.

“This is another great announcement, coming quickly off the back of the recent news about the addition of four Indonesian events onto the Asian Development Tour schedule,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.

“We continue to be blessed with a constant stream of good news about the ADT and the Asian Tour during an unprecedented time of growth for golf in the region and we thank OB Golf and Gunung Geulis Country Club, who are also hosting The Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura, for their long-term support and commitment.”

Indonesia’s rising star Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra (pictured) triumphed at the ADT’s season-opening Singha Phuket Open in May. The Tour’s second event, the All Thailand Partnership Trophy, tees off this week at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club, Mountain and Ocean Courses, 6-9 July.

Both events, and the ensuing week’s Singha Pattaya Open at Laem Chabang International Country Club are jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour.