Breakthrough for Phachara Khongwatmai
Phachara Khongwatmai finally secured his breakthrough maiden win on the Asian Tour today when he claimed the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship after a gripping finish at Laguna Golf Phuket.
He holed a pressure-packed 12-foot par putt on the 18th to avoid a sudden-death play-off and beat countrymen Panuphol Pittayarat and Denwit Boriboonsub and Korean Bio Kim by a solitary shot.
Phachara, who first hit global headlines when he won a professional event aged 14, claimed the biggest tournament of his career so far after closing with an even-par 70 for a winning total of 10 under, on a difficult day when the wind speed reached 25 to 30km per hour.
“I feel very happy, and very excited for this win. I have been waiting for about six years. Right now, it is my time, and I feel great,” said 22-year-old Phachara ‒ six-times a runner-up on the Asian Tour.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Phacahra Khongwatmai of Thailand celebrates victory on the 18th green on Sunday, December 5, 2021, during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Today was quite difficult because it was tough wind. I have never played this wind in Thailand before. Today was tough, and all about who can make the score. That last putt is my last chance for 18 holes but if I missed I knew I had another chance in a play-off. But I had that putt from that place before when I was here in quarantine.”
The Thai star has won twice before on the Asian Development Tour, both in 2015, while it was back in 2013 he triumphed in the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14 year old amateur.
The tournament developed into a two-horse race over the closing holes between Phachara Khongwatmai and playing-partner Panuphol. The latter held the lead for much of day but bogeyed three holes in a row from the 13th.
A pivotal two-shot swing saw Phachara draw level with Panuphol on the par-five 14th, where Phachara made birdie while Panuphol bogey.
And Phachara moved one ahead on the following hole when he made par while Panuphol registered another bogey.
The momentum was in Phachara’s favour but drama was soon to follow when he three-putted 17, after missing a seven footer for par, to leave them both tied on 10 under playing the par-four 18th, with Kim, also playing in the group, one back.
In a nail-biting finale, Panuphol ‒ whose approach shot landed 15 yards short ‒ chipped to 15 feet but missed his attempt, while Kim’s birdie putt from 22 feet also slipped past the hole.
Earlier, Phachara had had to deal with a difficult 40-foot birdie putt, which sped past the cup to set up victory with the last roll of the dice.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Bio Kim of Korea pictured on Sunday, December 5, 2021, during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Denwit, aged just 17, returned a 68, Panuphol 71, and Bio a 72.
Bio, like Phachara Khongwatmai, was looking for his first Asian Tour win having led after each of the first three days and had started the final round with a one-shot advantage over his two playing partners.
But he got off to the worse start possible with four bogeys in the first five holes. He was out of contention for most of the day until presented with a chance to make extra time on 18.
“It was another difficult day when I could not find my rhythm, but I still had some chances with some putts coming in. I am proud of the way I hung in there,” said Bio.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand, left and Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand walk to the 7th green pictured on Sunday, December 5, 2021 during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The tournament was the second and final event of the Asian Tour Phuket Series.
The Asian Tour heads next to Singapore, where two 2020-21 season-ending events are being planned.
Bio Kim holds on from a peloton of leading players from Thailand to keep his lead at the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship today after the third round at Laguna Golf Phuket.
The Korean, the first and second round leader, signed for a one-over-par 71 to lead by a stroke from Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and Phachara Khongwatmai, who carded 68 and 69 respectively.
“It was a tough day. I was a little out of sync, I’m not sure why,” said Bio Kim , who is on 11 under.
“I am going to head straight to the range to work it out. I was certainly mentally tired. I was playing with two great Thai players, so it was tough. I am pleased the round is over and I can reset for tomorrow.”
He appeared to be in control after nine holes, after touring the front side in one under but the wheels came off on the homeward stretch with bogeys on 10 and 15.
The 31 year old is a six-time winner on the Korean PGA Tour but is looking for his first title on the Asian Tour, having made it through Qualifying School in 2020.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand pictured on Saturday December 4, 2021 during round three of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Recent form suggests Bio Kim holds on and will not be far away tomorrow: he was joint fourth last week at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and claimed the LG Signature Players Championship last month on the Korean PGA Tour.
Kim narrowly held the lead all day until Panuphol, playing in the group ahead, drew level with him for the first time when he holed a 15-foot birdie putt on 17.
But the Thai golfer dropped a shot on the par-four 18th after hitting his approach short, chipping to three feet and missing the putt.
Said Panuphol: “I am still struggling with a shoulder injury, but I am playing well, enjoying the course and it’s great to be in contention. It’s going to be tight tomorrow with so many in contention.”
Panuphol, affectionately known as Coconut, last won on Tour at the 2018 Thailand Open, a year after winning the Indonesian Open.
‘Win number three would be amazing but there’s a lot of work to be done before that,” he added.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pictured on Saturday December 4, 2021 during round three of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Phachara, still only 22 years old, is another looking for his first Asian Tour victory after a plethora of top finishes ‒ he has finished second on six occasions.
“We had a battle on the back nine and I am sure it will be the same tomorrow,” said Phachara, who was paired with Kim.
The trio will play in the final group on Sunday making for a thrilling finish to the event.
Thailand’s Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol, Prom Meesawat, and Natipong Srithong, and Korean Yikeun Chang finished tied for fourth on eight under.
The tournament is the second and final leg of the Asian Tour Phuket Series, which has marked the resumption of the Tour after a 20-month COVID-19 enforced break.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Yikuen Chang of Korea celebrates with his caddie on hole No 4 pictured on Saturday December 4, 2021 during round three of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Bio Kim has one eye on trophy in his bid to win for the first time on the Asian Tour gathered momentum today when he took the halfway lead in the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket.
The Korean added a four-under-par 66 to his first round 62 to lead on 12 under by two shots from Thailand’s Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol, in with a 67.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai is a stroke further back after firing 65, one better than his compatriots Panuphol Pittayarat and Natipong Srithong, who both shot 64.
The tournament is the second and final leg of the Asian Tour Phuket Series, which has marked the resumption of the Tour after a 20-month COVID-19 enforced break.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Bio Kim of Korea pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Kim had a commanding three-shot lead with two to play but surprisingly hit trouble on the par-four 17th, where he made double. His tee shot went right into pine trees and from there he found woodwork twice while trying to punch out before reaching the green with his fourth. But he bounced back brilliantly on the par-four 18th, hitting a nine iron from 160 yard to 12 feet ‒ which he duly converted for a birdie.
“It was one of those day when I could have done much better but luckily today is over and I will regroup tomorrow,” said the 31 year old.
“And hopefully I do a little better than today. I will just keep my head down, be focused and be present; that’s who I am and that’s how I am playing the game of golf. And hopefully good things happen on the weekend.”
Kim was expected to be the next big superstar of Korean golf over a decade ago after winning both the Korean and Japan Amateur Championships in 2008, before finishing top of the Korean PGA Tour Order of Merit two years later and then securing his PGA Tour card aged 20.
But he lost his card after one year there, played the Web.com Tour (now called the Korn Ferry Tour) before competing mainly in Korea ‒ where he has won six times, including the LG Signature Players Championship last month.
That victory and a joint fourth placing in last week’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship suggests the Korean ‒ who graduated from the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2020 ‒ is building towards a second coming, and tomorrow Bio Kim has one eye on trophy.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Chanachok Dejpriantanamongkol of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have made a lot of putts for the last few months. My putter has been co-operating, and I have been hitting the ball better than I used to for the last few years, I think that helps as well. I have just been sticking to what I have been doing,” he said.
“Maybe the big difference is my second child who was born last October. I have two daughters now, hopefully I can give them good things on the weekend.”
Chanachok’s affinity for Laguna Golf Phuket continued after he made an eagle, a birdie and for the second day did not drop a shot.
The Thai golfer won the Singha Phuket Open here in 2017, on the Asian Development Tour, in brilliant fashion finishing 27 under.
“It’s not easy but it’s just that I did not have big trouble. I have been in good spots for up and downs,” said the 27 year old.
“This week my up and down game is really good, and my iron game is also good, but the best thing for me is putting, I have not three putted yet.”
PHUKET-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chanachok has good reason to be playing well as his wife is expecting in February.
He added: “Right now I have to focus on my game. I think after this year I might pause my game because our baby is coming next year. And I think I will also open a shop in Bangkok, a golf club fitting shop.”
He’s also in fine form thanks to losing 15 kgs over 12 months after changing to a vegan diet.
Chanachok also claimed the Singha Championship in 2017 on the All Thailand Golf Tour for his only other success as a professional.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Panuphol, better known as “Coconut”, rocketed into contention with four birdies on the trot from 10th followed by an eagle on the par-five 14th.
Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol’s affinity for the golf course at Laguna Golf Phuket continued today at the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship when he took the clubhouse lead on 10 under after returning a second round three-under-par 67.
The Thai golfer won the Singha Phuket Open here in 2017, on the Asian Development Tour, in brilliant fashion finishing 27 under and has gone bogey free for the first two rounds this week.
“It’s not easy but it’s just that I did not have big trouble. I have been in good spots for up and downs,” said the 27 year old, who made an eagle and a birdie.
“This week my up and down game is really good, and my iron game is also good, but the best thing for me is putting, I have not three putted yet.”
PHUKET-THAILAND- Chanachok Dejpriantanamongkol of Thailand pictured at right performing the Thai Wai, at left is playing partner Veer Ahlawat of India on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Prom Meesawat from Thailand carded 65 and is on seven under, along with India’s Veer Ahlawat, playing in the same group as Chanachok, and Korea’s Yoseop Seo, who both shot 67.
Half the field are still out on the course, including first-round leader Bio Kim from Korea. Bio shot a 62 on Thursday.
Chanachok has good reason to be playing well as his wife is expecting in February.
He added: “Right now I have to focus on my game. I think after this year I might pause my game because our baby is coming next year. And I think I will also open a shop in Bangkok, a golf club fitting shop.”
He’s also in fine form thanks to losing 15 kgs over 12 months after changing to a vegan diet.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Prom Meesawat of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chanachok also claimed the Singha Championship in 2017 on the All Thailand Golf Tour for his only other success as a professional.
Australian Scott Hend put himself in contention after shooting a 63 to move to six under.
Bio Kim took the first-round clubhouse lead in the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship today after shooting an exceptional eight-under-par 62 ‒ which at one point looked like being sub 60.
The Korean ‒ who first hit global headlines over a decade ago when he qualified for the PGA Tour as a 20 year old ‒ made an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey at Laguna Golf Phuket, where preferred lies were being played.
It saw him finish one shot ahead of Australian Travis Smyth, whose 63 was no doubt inspired by the fact he played in the same group as Kim, and Thailand’s Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol ‒ who won the Singha Phuket Open here in 2017 on the Asian Development Tour.
Poor weather stopped play at 5.17pm meaning 40 players will complete their first round tomorrow. England’s Steve Lewton was the best of those at five under with two to play.
Bio Kim, whose group played the back nine first, was nine under after 13 holes and on course for an elusive 59 before realization set in.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Bio Kim of Korea pictured in action on Thursday December 2, 2021 during round one of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Unfortunately, at the final three holes I kind of figured where I was at, so I got a little nervous,” said the 31 year old ‒ an Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate from last year.
“My form is actually in very good shape. I putted good, I’m hitting it good, I am capitalising on the chances; so hopefully next couple of rounds I will keep going and maybe, maybe, at the end, I’m holding something.”
He finished joint fourth in last week’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship, and at the beginning of last month claimed the LG Signature Players Championship on the Korean PGA Tour ‒ which was his sixth victory on home soil. He has mainly played in Korea since 2014.
He added: “59 was in my sight but then the last few holes were kind of tough and then the wind was blowing. I tried my best but unfortunately it did not happen. 62 is still a great round.”
Smyth also played well last week, coming home in 10th, and like his playing partner was able to build on that momentum today.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Travis Smyth of Australia, right, fist bumps with his caddie Kyle Roadley of Australia on Thursday December 2, 2021 during round one of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I’m playing really good golf right now,” said Smyth, who like Kim is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour.
“[I’m] holing a little bit more putts than I normally would, around that 15 to 25-foot range. I’m hitting it fairly straight on this type of tight course and taking advantage of the par fives out there.”
He birdied two of his last three to make up ground on Kim.
Added Smyth: “I was having a bad back last week but it’s better today. I got help from the physios here. I was also coping with a bad foot from playing golf almost everyday, and got some lower back spasms that some golfers get. Had some sharp lingering pain last week but today wasn’t too bad. It’s definitely stiff. I have been working hard with the physio here every morning and after my rounds. Hopefully the back holds up for the rest of the week.”
Chanachok carded a third-round 61 and was 27 under par when he won here four years ago and continued his love affair with the Laguna Golf Phuket course again today.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol of Thailand pictured on Thursday December 2, 2021 during round one of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 27 year old said he lost 15 kgs over 12 months by becoming a vegan after watching the Netflix documentary The Game Changers.
“It [becoming vegan] was a big change for my wife and me in the beginning, but we are now used to it,” said Chanachok, who shot seven birdies, including on his last two holes, and was bogey free.
“It’s really helped my fitness and energy levels. But being here again at Laguna Phuket is also special for me.”
Korean Joohyung Kim, equal fourth last week at Blue Canyon Country Club, India’s Udayan Mane and Veer Ahlawat, and Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul, Phachara Khongwatmai, Kosuke Hamamoto, Sarun Sirithon, and Kasidit Lepkurte all returned 66s.
American Berry Henson, who competes in this week’s Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket, has been in fine form over the past two weeks with two top-four finishes and says being a part-time Uber driver is one of the keys to his success.
“This came up when I was injured in 2016,” said the Hua Hin-based golfer ‒ who finished two shots behind the winner Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei in last week’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship to claim joint fourth.
“I always need to rent a car when I am back in the US, and I found an option to rent an Uber vehicle, through Enterprise at the time. And I thought this would be good to kill some time and actually raise some money for charity. And I quite enjoyed it.
“And then I kind of beat the system a bit by renting the car but then driving for Uber to pay it off. So now when I go back home, I always do the same situation. I drive about 20 hours a week and it’s like having a free car. I have the time to do it. I am on the golf course and doing my training, but I can drive a few hours a day as I don’t have any responsibilities. And it gives me a little time away from golf, as opposed to sitting on the couch which I just can’t do.”
PHUKET-THAILAND-Berry Henson of the USA pictured on Wednesday December 1, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 43 year old was in Thailand for a year after the Bandar Malaysian Open in March 2020 when the pandemic stopped play on the Asian Tour but went back to the US in March this year and picked up a Uber vehicle and drove it two weeks straight.
He adds: “I started to prepare for the Challenge Tour [Europe] but got into the main Tour, played a stretch there, returned home and did some more Uber driving for two weeks. It’s kind of meditative to me, I love to chat, they love my story, I play games with my passengers, and I get a lot of them who follow me on Tour now which is cool.”
Henson tied for third on the All Thailand Golf Tour two weeks ago and is expected to be in contention this week.
He’s been meticulously planning for the restart of the Asian Tour with a number of coaches in the US ‒ which includes a swing coach, a short-game coach and a physical trainer ‒ prior to returning to the region but says Ubering has also helped.
“We have found the right formula as far as peaking is concerned and I think the two weeks driving Uber helped. There is definitely a mental side to that,” he added.
Henson first burst onto the scene in 2011 in an impressive rookie season with two victories in the span of three weeks. He claimed his breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the ICTSI Philippine Open, two weeks after he dominated the Clearwater Masters on the Asian Development Tour with a seven-stroke victory.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang is targeting the Asian Tour Order of Merit title ‒ and is hoping to become the first player from his country to achieve the feat in 27 years ‒ following his victory in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at Blue Canyon Country Club last week.
He moved into second place on the Merit list and is looking to build on the momentum from that win at the Laguna Phuket Championship, which tees-off tomorrow at Laguna Golf Phuket ‒ in what is the second and final leg of the Asian Tour Phuket Series.
“Now that I’m second on the Order of Merit, I am going to try to win the Merit list,” said Chan, who received a cheque for US$180,000 on Sunday.
“There are still a few events to go and it’s not easy to win it but now that I have a chance, I will go for it and do my best.”
Australian Wade Ormsby, also playing this week, currently leads the Merit list with earnings of US$237,003, Chan is second on US$211,775, while 19-year-old Joohyung Kim sits third with US$194,628.
PHUKET-THAILAND-Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei pictured on Wednesday December 1, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The last player from Chan’s homeland to claim the Merit crown was Lin Keng-chi in 1995.
“I was struggling with a stiff neck on the first day I got to Phuket. I didn’t sleep well and could not quite complete my swing, actually. I felt like I could only go back three quarters and I couldn’t hit it hard too.”
Despite that, he shot a final round four-under-par 68 to finish on 18 under par at Blue Canyon and beat two rising stars in the game, Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Kim, by a shot.
“I felt like I was swinging with a rain jacket on. Thankfully the course last week wasn’t too long. As long as I can find the fairway, I’m okay with my second shots and short game, which are my strengths.”
It was his first win on the Asian Tour in five years. Both his previous wins came in 2016, first in the King’s Cup here in Thailand and then the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan. He is also a six-time winner on the Asian Development Tour ‒ the last of those coming in 2018.
PHUKET-THAILAND-Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei pictured on Wednesday December 1, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Both Phuket events boast prizemoney of US$1million and will be followed by two events being planned in Singapore in January that will bring to a conclusion the 2020-21 season.
The cream of the Asian Tour are competing in Phuket, including: Australian Scott Hend, a 10-time Asian Tour winner, reigning Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand, and Malaysian number one Gavin Green.
Thailand’s Suttijet Kooratanapisan has a big advantage over the rest of the field at this week’s US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship: he knows what it is like to shoot 59 on the Laguna Golf Phuket layout!
In 2017, Suttijet returned an 11-under-par 59 in the Singha Phuket Open on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) to become the first player to shoot sub-60 in the history of the Asian Tour and ADT.
Preferred lies were played so it could not stand as a record, but a 59 is a still 59.
“Actually, I just kept going birdie, birdie, birdie that day,” said 34 year old.
“I didn’t think about my score at all until the last hole, when I knew I needed a birdie to shoot 59.”
He drained a 30-foot birdie putt to break 60. His compatriot Naras Luangphetcharaporn is the only other player to shoot 59 ‒ achieved at the Tour’s Qualifying School in 2019 – also when lift, clean and place rules applied.
Suttijet made an eagle and nine birdies to finish in third place in the Singha Phuket Open; he also birdied the last four holes.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Suttijet Kooratanapisan of Thailand pictured on Tuesday November 30, 2021 during an official practice round ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He added: “I remember hole number seven was a par-five last time, now it’s a par four. I loved that because when I shot 59 I made eagle there.”
The Thai golfer is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour ‒ his best is second place in the 2016 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open ‒ but he does have one ADT win to his name: the PGM Palm Resort Championship, also in 2016.
“This week is a lot harder though as the rough is very long and the fairways are very narrow. It’s not the same as last time. My goal this week is just to play under par every day. Right now my putting is so good.”
This week’s Laguna Phuket Championship is the second and final part of the Asian Tour Phuket Series ‒ which marked the restart of the Tour’s 2020-21 season.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Suttijet Kooratanapisan of Thailand pictured on Tuesday November 30, 2021 during an official practice round ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, who claimed last week’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship is again competing, along with a powerful line-up of the Tour’s best players including: current Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby from Australia and his countryman Scott Hend, a 10-time Asian Tour winner, reigning Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand, Korean teenager Joohyung Kim ‒ who was joint runner-up last week ‒ and Malaysian number one Gavin Green.
We have put together 10 things you need to know ahead of this week’s Laguna Phuket Championship, which marks the second event of the Asian Tour Phuket Series.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat of Thailand, 14 year old amateur, pictured on Tuesday November 30, 2021 during an official practice round ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
- Laguna Golf Phuket, revamped and revitalized by architect Paul Jansen in 2014, had previously hosted the Laguna Phuket Open on the Asian Development Tour from 2017 to 2019. The 2017 edition was made special by Thailand’s Suttijet Kooratanapisan, who recorded the first ever 59 on the ADT and Asian Tour in the final round.
- A talented field of 144 players from 25 countries, including five Order of Merit champions and 40 Tour champions, are set to compete in the event.
- Reigning Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond will be looking to redeem himself after uncharacteristically missing the halfway cut last week. Place seventh on the current Order of Merit, Jazz will be vying to become the first player to successfully retain the Merit crown in back-to-back seasons on Tour.
- Current Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby of Australia, who won the season-opening Hong Kong Open for his third Asian Tour title in 2020, will be looking to end his year on a high with a good showing this week. He came in tied-23rd last week to retain his lead on the Merit rankings.
- Scott Hend, the first Australian to lift the Order of Merit crown in 2016, will be in search for his 11th title on Tour after enjoying a top-five result last week. Three of his 10 victories came in Thailand.
- Korean sensation Joohyung Kim, who won the 2019 Panasonic Open India in only his sixth start on the Asian Tour, will aim to go one better this week for his second title on Tour. The 19-year-old Kim was crowned the Order of Merit champion on his domestic Tour earlier this month and had come in runner-up last week thanks to a closing 66.
- Despite missing out on his second Asian Tour victory last week, Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand is keeping his head high as he continues to enjoy a solid run where he has yet to shoot over-par in his last 20 competitive rounds.
- Sadom claimed his fourth victory in two months when he won the Singha Classic on his domestic Tour mid-November. He has not finished outside of top-10 in his last nine professional starts. His joint runner-up finish last week saw him jump to 251st place on the OWGR and eighth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
- Thai Amateur Ratchanon Chantananuwat enjoyed a memorable debut last week where he became the third youngest player, at the age of 14 years old, to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour. Ratchanon, who goes by the nickname TK, impressed with a solid tied-15 place finish last week, thanks to weekend rounds of 68 and 65.
- The Order of Merit race continues in Phuket as players vie to finish inside top-30 on the final Merit rankings to qualify for the lucrative US$5 million Saudi International, which will be the season-opener for the Asian Tour’s 2022 season.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Wade Ormsby of Australia pictured on Tuesday November 30, 2021 during an official practice round ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
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