Veteran Gangee shows his mettle with Vietnam victory
Indian veteran Rahil Gangee certainly lived up to his billing as one of the star attractions at the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam this week, firing a string of birdies in the closing stretch to post the clubhouse lead and endure an anxious wait to see if he’d done enough to win.
His par on the 18th for a three under 70 (209) was enough to edge out overnight leader Aidric Jose Chan, who needed to par to force a playoff. The young Filipino golfer, who was not even born when Gangee first joined the professional golf ranks, could only manage bogey at the last and saw his chance of a debut win slip away.
India’s Aman Raj (70), one of the strong Indian cohort taking part at the event, shared second place (210) with Chan (74) in the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event at the Legend Da Nang Golf Club on the Nicklaus Course.
Aidric Jose Chan of the Philippines pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
In fourth spot (211) was American Sydney Chung (74), who was unable to capitalise on two fine early rounds, followed by Singapore’s James Leow who posted the low round of the day with 66, enough to move him from 32nd spot overnight to a solo fifth place (213).
“It’s been a gruelling day,” said Gangee after his win, “not because of the golf but because of the heat. It’s been a little bit tough also in the golf. It was a little bit dilly dally in the front nine – even par – I only got it going towards the back especially in the last four holes.
“I was looking to birdie the last hole but that didn’t happen, but I still had a chance to make it,” he added, his optimism fuelled by the fact that he had already won once on the ADT this year, having secured victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters in June. His victory in Vietnam puts him atop the ADT Order of Merit, ahead of Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig.
“This one has to be for my wife,” said Gangee. “She saw me through today. I was a little bit headless in the front nine, a little bit despondent, but she got me through the day today, just really grateful for her to be around on the bag.”
Sydney Chung of the USA pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
Asked after the second round about how he felt being billed as one of the star attractions in the promotional materials for the event, he was surprised yet grateful at being selected as one of the featured players.
“It means the world to me,” he said after posting a -6 yesterday. “How many times does a guy get his face on a poster? It’s great to see my face all over the place, all over town, all over the golf course, at the airport,” he laughed. “So I’m really stoked about that, thanks for that.”
Finishing in sixth place, on five under par (214), were the Thai trio of Sarut Vongchaisit (68), Nopparat Panichphol (71) and Runchanapong Youprayong (73), together with Arjun Sharma of India (69) and Baig (75).
In 11th spot on 215 were Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Tuan Anh (70), Ayoub Lgurati (68) of Morocco, Thailand’s Sarun Sirithon (72) and Jakraphan Premsirigorn (72) and Sean Ramos of the Philippines (67).
The BRG Open Golf Championship was the seventh of 12 ADT events scheduled for 2024, and the tour continues in Indonesia next month, at the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura at the Gunung Geulis Country Club from September 11-13.
Main picture: India’s Rahil Gangee and his wife and caddie Ruhi pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
Aidric Jose Chan of the Philippines proved he was a quick learner at the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam today, capitalising on his first round experience to lead by a single shot going into the final round.
The young golfer, playing for the first time in Vietnam, was able to master the conditions with just a single dropped shot in the second round of the US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event, his six-under-par score of 67 putting him ahead of overnight leader Sydney Chung of the USA.
“It’s been a big help playing in the morning and afternoon and seeing how the wind could be tomorrow,” said Chan after his round at the Legend Da Nang Golf Club, Nicklaus Course.
The potential pin placements were also something he studied before the tournament, and so far his game plan has been paying off.
“I thought they were pretty tough,” he said when asked about his hole by hole strategy. “I have been studying them and I think my game plan has been working out well.
Sydney Chung of the USA pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
“There’s a couple of holes I decided to be more aggressive like on hole number eight. I haven’t seen many people hitting driver there but I’ve hit driver on that hole and I think it gives you a bit more of an advantageous spot to go for the flag,” he added.
“Playing in the afternoon is mentally tougher,” he said. “The heat really got to me going into the last few holes. I soaked up with water and looked for the shade, just getting from tree to tree and using the umbrella.”
Chung, who posted a four under par 69, was also happy with his round.
“It was pretty similar to yesterday,” he said. “I drove the ball really well and I feel that’s what helped me to play well today.
“There are some tough holes out here. Tough par fours and gettable par fives, but you’ve got to be in the fairway so I did a good job of that today. I missed a couple of short ones for birdie coming in but other than that it was pretty solid,” he added.
Tied for third on seven under par are Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (69), already a two-time winner in Vietnam on the ADT this year, and Indan veteran Rahil Gangee.
“It was great today,” said Baig after his round. “I made a few silly mistakes but I still managed my position. I’m looking for my third win to secure my Asian Tour card which would mean a lot,” he added.
Gangee, who improved massively on his first round score and posted a bogey free 67, had clearly done his homework when he turned up for the second round.
“After yesterday it was a bit frustrating because I went back home and counted the number of putts I missed. There were 10, which is way too many for any golfer to be missing.
“I just tried to keep calm today, made a lot more putts and that’s what made the difference. No blemishes today, no bogeys, which is always amazing for any round, but around this golf course it is even better.
Ekpharit Wu of Thailand pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
“You have got to really think yourself around this golf course because of the greens, the design is such that if you miss them in the wrong places, it just gets that much more difficult to make up and down,” he added.
In fifth position, on six under par, are the Indian duo of Sunhit Bishnol (68) and Aman Raj (69), together with Australia’s Kyle Michel (71).
Rounding out the top ten with a share of eighth spot on five under par are Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (71) and the day’s low scorer Ekpharit Wu (66), followed by compatriots Itthipat Buranatanyarat (71) and Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (71) in tenth place on four under par.
In 12th position, on three under par, are Lawrence Ting (69) of Chinese Taipei and Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool (71), Thitipan Pachuaprakong (75), Jakraphan Premsirigorn (72), Nopparat Panichphol (74) and Sarun Sirithon (71).
With the cut set at two over par, 58 golfers will compte in the final round tomorrow, with the first group off at 7am local time. The leading group, comprising Chan, Baig and Chung, will tee off at 8.39am.
Main picture: Aidric Jose Chan of the Philippines pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
Australia’s Lawry Flynn took advantage of an early start to lead the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam, today, his five under par score enough to secure the clubhouse lead as conditions worsened.
He was later joined in first spot by late finishers Sydney Chung of the USA and Thailand’s Thitipan Pachuayprakong, both of whom birdied the final hole to share the lead going into the second day of this 54 hole tournament.
Making his debut on the Asian Development Tour, Flynn also had to contend with windy conditions at the Legend Da Nang Golf Resort on the Nicklaus Course, venue for the US$100,000 ADT event.
“It was a bit of a slow start this morning,” he revealed after his round. “I started off on hole one and made a couple of good pars early on and then the wind really picked up.”
“I got on the par three, the fourth, and I just started a little too far right, missed the green by a long way and didn’t get up and down,” he said.
“I was like, `wow this is going to be a test today`, and then from there, I just made no mistakes.”
“I hit it in all the good spots and putting at the end of the day helped me from that 10–15 foot range, I holed a few coming in and yeah, five under,” he laughed.
Thitipan Pachuayprakong of Thailand pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
After making it through the 2024 Qualifying School of the Asian Tour, Flynn is making his first visit to Vietnam and was full of praise for the course, despite its windy welcome.
This course is tough,” he said. “It’s long, water on every hole and it’s in great condition. It’s a good test for a tournament,” he added.
Thitipan and Chung, friends on and off the course, certainly enjoyed each others company when paired together for the opening round.
“It was a good day for me,” said Thitipan after his round. “Good putting, good driving, playing with a good friend, so it made me very relaxed today,” he added.
Chung also took advantage of the camaraderie, overcoming a shaky start to follow along.
“I didn’t get off to a great start,” he said. “I was two over after five holes. He (Thitipan) was playing really well at the start so I re-evaluated my game plan on how I was going to tackle this course, and honestly I just kind of copied him the whole way from hole six on, and luckily we made some birdies,” he laughed.
“At the start of the round, the first nine holes, it was really tough and blowing really hard. But once we got to around hole 12, the wind actually switched so it made all the holes coming in much easier. By the last three or four holes it had completely died down so we were both able to take advantage of that.”
Sydney Chung of the USA pictured in action at the BRG Open Golf Championship 2024 in Vietnam. The US$100,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at the Legend Da Nang Golf resort, Nicklaus Course, from August 29-31, 2024. Picture courtesy of Danang Fantasity.
Vietnamese amateur Doan Uy was another of the morning starters to enjoy the weather advantage, his four under par score included two bogeys and he heads a group in fourth spot which includes Aldric Jose Chan of the Philippines, Nopparat Panichphol of Thailand and Australia’s Kyle Michel.
Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig, already a double winner in Vietnam this year after his victory in the Nam A Bank Masters in June and the Lexus Challenge in March, is only two shots back of the leaders and sits in eighth spot alongside Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong.
Six Thai players – Witchayapat Sinsrang, Jakraphon Premsirigorn, ADT All Thailand Partnership winner Kammalas Namuangruk, Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij, Tawit Polthai and itthipat Buranatanyarat – share tenth spot on two under par, alongside Vietnam amateur Nguyen Tuan Anh, India’s Aman Raj, Eric Gallardo of the Philippines and Afif Fathi of malaysia.
All players completed their first round successfully and play will continue as scheduled for day two of the tournament. Play will commence at 6am for the morning wave, with the afternoon groups beginning at 10.40am.
Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul held off his playing partners by a single stroke in the third round of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament today, his six under 66 enough to hold a slender lead going into the final round on 17 under par.
Fellow Thai Ekpharit Wu and Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung each posted scores of 67 – Cheung with a bogey free card – and will be looking to keep the pressure on when the US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event concludes tomorrow.
With Cheung in solo second at -16, Ekpharit was joined in third place on -15 by Asian Development Tour rookie Liu Yung-hua of Chinese Taipei, whose faultless eight birdie round lifted him into contention at Damai Indah Golf’s BSD course, located in Tangerang on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.
“It was quite similar to yesterday’s round,” said leader Vanchai when asked about his performance. “ I didn’t play well on the front nine, but made some birdies and an eagle coming in.”
Liu Yang-hua of Chinese Taipei pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
His eagle on the par five 18th was his second of the tournament, and this time he managed to pull it off despite a conservative approach.
“I hit my five iron for my second shot,” he explained. “I just made sure it could clear the water. I had about 50 or 60 feet left for eagle, and I holed the putt!”
“There’s still a lot of golf to be played,” he continued. “I’m just going to stick to my plan, try to do same same every day.
“It would be nice to win on the ADT. The quality of the players is really strong so you have to play almost perfect golf to win here,” he added.
Four shots back sharing fifth place are the Indian duo of Khalin Joshi (66) and defending champion Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (65) who celebrated his return to the event with a scintillating display on the back nine.
“It was a bit of a slow start today,” said Singh after his round. “I was feeling a little anxious on the putting green but got the round started on the back nine. Definitely the golf course asks for more patience during the first nine holes,” he added.
“My putter got hot from the tenth hole onwards and it was one of the hottest back nines I have ever had on this golf course,” he said. “I’m liking that the putter is on again and the ball striking was on point. Patience just paid off today and I enjoyed it,” he added.
Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
In seventh place, on -10, Korea’s Minhyeok Yang (68) is joined by the Thai pair of Kammalas Namuangruk (69) and Chanat Sakulpolpaisan (70).
Ervin Chang (66) of Malaysia, winner of the inaugural Kyi Hla Han Future Champions award in 2023, shares 10th spot with Ben Jones (67) of England and the leading Indonesian player, amateur Jonathan Hartono (68).
Joel Stalter (71) of France, Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij (71) of Thailand and James Leow (72) of Singapore all fared poorly on Day Three and slid down the leaderboard, where they were joined in 13th spot by the ascending Thai Tirawat Kaewsribandit (65).
Matt Killen of England moved into a share of 17th place with his round of 68, sharing with Danny China (71) of Malaysia and Kosuke Hamamoto (73) of Thailand.
All players completed the third round without incident and the final round will be held as scheduled tomorrow, with the first players off the tee at 6.41am and the leaders hitting off at 8.20am.
Main picture: Vanchai Luangnitikul of Thailand pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung posted a clean round of 67 at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Tangerang today, cementing his grip on the lead despite a challenge from Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul whose round of 65 earned him a share of first place.
At 11 under par, they sit one shot ahead of joint overnight leader Ekpharit Wu (68) who is looking to extend his two game winning streak with a victory this week on the Damai Indah Golf BSD course, just outside the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
As the US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event heads into its third day, a group on eight under par will also be looking to overtake the leaders from fourth place, including the Thai duo of Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (69) and Kosuke Hamamoto (70), Singapore’s James Leow (69) and Australia’s Peter Wilson (67) .
“I played really good today,” said Cheung after his round. “I shot five under with three birdies and an eagle so kept the card clean, which is always good.”
Starting from the 10th tee, he played a steady opening nine but the eagle on the par five ninth hole pushed his performance up a gear, but it was not without its surprises.
“I was in the bunker of the left side,” he explained. “I hit a drive that almost went like 330 yards, so i was very surprised, and then had 66 metres to the flag. I had a good lie and hit a really good seven iron and it landed perfectly.
“At first i thought it went in because it went up the slope and then rolled back down so I couldn’t see it from there but I’d hit it to like four feet and made the putt,” he added.
The leading group tomorrow will comprise Cheung, Vanchai and Ekpharit, and Cheung was adamant that he would have some work to do to hold on to his lead.
“I know Ekpharit’s been playing really good golf,” he said. “He won the last two All Thailand events so I just need to play my game and hopefully come out on top.”
Vanchai Luangnitikul of Thailand pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
Vanchai, who also eagled the ninth hole, had an excellent round, marred only by a single bogey on the 11th hole. The back nine also saw him score four birdies, and revealed that a mishit tee shot actually helped him bag the eagle.
“To be honest, it was quite lucky,” he said, “because I mishit my three wood on the tee shot but that gave me a perfect yardage for my rescue so I was able to hit it really close and then holed the putt.”
“The course is really firm, more so than last year,” he added. “Last year was a bit softer but this year the greens are a lot firmer and also faster so it’s really importabnt this week to keep it in the fairway.”
Australia’s Peter Wilson, who is looking to play more golf on the ADT this year, explained after his round how a four week break has brought new life into his game.
“I haven’t been working (on my game) at all,” he said after his round. “My son got into the Olympics for skateboarding so i went home, left my clubs in Thailand, and spent a month with him getting ready for the Olympics.
“I needed the break too, as I haven’t been playing very well at all. My mum passed away last year so I haven’t really played that well since then. I’ve been trying to play too much to not think about it, if that makes sense, but when I had the four week break from golf I just reflected on the good times and I’ve come back wanting to play again,” he explained.
Ekpharit Wu of Thailand pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
“I’m just going to play the ADTs for this year, getting into a few and playing when I can. I play the Thai PGA as well, and some of the All Thailand Tour pre-qualifiers. I’ve based myself here in Thailand this year just to play the ADT.
“I found last year I tried to play the ADT but because I was going from Australian conditions to Asian conditions I found it too hard to adjust. But now, with playing predominantly here, I’m starting to be able to adjust to the grasses and the grain on the greens and I’m figuring it out a bit better.
“This is a great course,” he added. “The greens are fast, which is great. Normally the courses in Thailand I’ve been playing are eight or nine on the stimp, but now this is nearly up to 11 which is pretty much like Melbourne speed, which is nice. And there’s not a lot of grain on these ones, so it’s alright.”
In eighth spot, Thailand’s Kammalas Namuangruk (64) posted the low round of the day to make up for a poor showing yesterday. he heads a group on seven under which includes compatriot Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (67), Liu Yung-hua (68) of Chinese Taipei, leading Indonesian player Jonathan Wijono (69) and Joel Statler (69) of France.
In 13th place on six under, Minhyeok Yang (71) of Korea is tied with Malaysia’s Danny Chia (71). One shot back in 15th are the Indian pair of Khalin Joshi (71) and Rahil Gangjee (70), Huang Chi (68) of Chinese Taipei and Indonesian amateur Jonathan Hartono (69).
The field was able to complete their rounds and the cut was called at one under par, which means 57 players will tee it up for the third round in the morning. The first groups are off the tee at 6.41 am local time, with the leaders heading out at 8.20 am.
Main picture: Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu and Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong made the most of their early rounds at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia today, posting six-under-par scores of 66 to take the early clubhouse lead.
They were later joined by Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand who was one of the lunchtime starters in the first round of the US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event at Damai Indah Golf’s BSD course.
Ekpharit, coming into the tournament after back to back wins on the All Thailand Golf Tour, made a steady start from the 10th tee, posting two birdies before dropping a shot on the 16th hole.
He regained his composure swiftly on the par five 18th, threading a four iron 195 yards into the wind and between two greenside bunkers to post an eagle and get back on track.
With three additional birdies in his second nine, Ekpharit was clearly in form following his victories at the Singha All Thailand Memorial on August 11 and the Singha Pattaya Open last week.
“It was a very good day for me today to start with six under,” he said after his round, adding that the two wins had helped his confidence coming into this event.
“They helped me a lot,” he said, “one because it was my first All Thailand Tour win, and then with back to back wins which gave me a lot of confidence to play on the ADT,” he added.
“Today I putted very well, but for my tee shots i have a lot of work to do, tomorrow I will work on that,” he said.
Kosuke Hamamoto of Thailand pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
Cheung was another of the morning starters who stood up to the test of the Tangerang course near Jakarta. A total of seven birdies, with just a single dropped shot on 17, saw him grab a share of the clubhouse lead after the morning session
“I thought I played really good today, especially the front nine,” he said after his round. “I gave myself a lot of opportunities and was able to make some putts.
“On the back nine the irons werent quite there but I missed in the right spots, which is what you have to do on this golf course. I made a lot of pars and a couple of birdies coming in,” he added.
“The course is really good, super fair,” he said. “The greens are quite firm this week so you really need to be careful with your iron shots, pick the right spots and miss them in the right spots or you can make bogeys really easy,” he added. “I thought i did that really well today so it was a good score.”
Kosuke, who finished second to Ekpharit in Pattaya last week, was equally ready to take on the BSD course.
“It felt really good to finish with an eagle for a really solid round,” he said after posting his score. “I’m just very happy with how I handled myself out there today.”
After three opening pars, he posted a string of birdies before a double bogey on the par three seventh hole threatened to derail his round.
Danny Chia of Malaysia pictured in action at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament. The US$140,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held from August 21-24 at the Damai Indah Golf BSD course in Tangerang, Indonesia. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.
Undeterred, he bounced straight back with a birdie on the eighth, and notched a couple more on the back nine before finishing with an eagle on 18 to match the 66 of the early leaders.
For his eagle on the last, his second shot may have missed the green but things turned out in his favour.
“For the second shot I had 181 in,” he explained, “but I just leaked out my iron to the right a bit. It was pin high but it was off the green.
“Luckily Rahil (Gangee) chipped before me. He was just two yards away and I saw his chip so it gave me a good idea of what the pace was. I thought I’d hit it a bit too hard but it hit the pin and went in,” he chuckled.
In fourth place, with 67 and five under par, Chanat Sakulpolphaisan of Thailand was joined by Singapore’s James Leow, Danny Chia of Malaysia and Korea’s Minhyeok Yang.
Thailand’s Paunuphol Pittayarat posted a bogey free round to head a group in eighth place on four under par, alongside compatriots Tanapat Pichaikool, Sarujn Sirithon and Vanchai Luangnitikul.
They were joined by India’s Khalin Joshi and defending champion Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, leading Indonesian player Jonathan Wijono, Deyen Lawson of Australia, Malaysia’s Ervin Chang, Ben Jones of England and Joel Stalter of France.
All 150 players were able to finish the first round of the 72 hole tournament which concludes on Saturday, August 24. Round Two will start at 6.20am on Tursday for the morning session, with the afternoon flights teeing it up from 11am.
Recent Comments