“April” springs into life
Chanoknan Angurasaranee, or “April” as the Thai teenager’s also known, is surely a name to watch out for in the future after her performance in last week’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course, where she finished as the leading female player.
Playing in the penultimate group on Sunday with eventual winner Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, she certainly held her own by shooting a three-under-par 69 to end in a tie for sixth place on 15 under par, writes Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
Just shy of her 18th birthday later this month, she is already in her third year as a professional.
“On the first couple holes I was very excited and very tense, I got very tense on the first four holes. But when I birdied the fourth, I think it kind of freed me up a lot and I just tried to play my own game and just stay in my own zone. I’ve played with TK before and he’s a good, good kid. He makes sure that everyone in his group stays calm.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Chanoknan Angurasaranee of Thailand pictured on Saturday April 9, 2022 during round three of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Finishing tied-sixth against a very strong field of Asian Tour and Ladies European Tour players should do wonders for April’s confidence for the future, as she’s getting ready to embark on a season on the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s secondary tour. A top-10 finish on that Order of Merit would earn the young Thai a much sought-after LPGA card for the following season.
“I’m very impressed by myself [laughing]. I didn’t think that I was going to play this well. Next week I’m leaving to go to the states for the Epson Tour. These past four months, I’ve been trying to get my game into shape and trying to play under pressure. And this tournament really, really helps me to get to that mindset and in the zone like I need to be. I’m looking to play maybe 17 tournaments on the Epson Tour this year, starting on the 29th of April in Kansas and ending in October, so I’m trying to be in that top-10 to get my LPGA Tour card.”
Although the soon to be 18-year-old has been playing on the Trust Golf Mixed Tour in Thailand, the strength of the competition from the top Asian Tour players last week would have been quite a step up.
She said: “It’s a whole other level, you know. The way they play, their short games and their putting was over the top. I just enjoyed every second of playing with the men. You get to see just really, really nice, like really cool shots. I’m just trying to absorb everything. It was great, just really good to play in the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Chanoknan Angurasaranee of Thailand cools down with a ice pack on her head on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Having turned professional at a young age after taking up golf at age 11, the Thai would have been quite used to being the youngest in the group at tournaments; this was not the case on Sunday, as Ratchanon is almost three years her junior.
“It felt weird [laughing]. But it was very, very fun to watch TK play, he’s just an amazing golfer. It was incredible how he handled the pressure to win. On the first hole, I think he told the camera man: ‘I’ll definitely hold this trophy, just wait for me for five hours’. And I was like, this kid’s got that mentality, you know? And he really played great golf, just great golf.”
In addition to the Trust Golf Mixed Tour, Chanoknan has also been playing on the Thailand LPGA Tour and is happy with her progression so far.
She added: “I’ve been playing really well. Just sort of increasingly better, improving every tournament and just like this week, finishing tied sixth. I started from like mid 20s and just climbing up the leaderboard and finding myself in the top-10, top-five nowadays.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Chanoknan Angurasaranee of Thailand pictured on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
If there is one player who could steal the thunder of the teenagers on the Asian Tour this week at the US$750,000 Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge, then look no further than in-form American Paul Peterson.
The talented lefthander, with the purest of golf swings, claimed joint third place last Sunday in the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup – sensationally won by 15-year-old Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat – for yet another fine finish in 2022: he was equal fifth in the International Series Thailand last month, and The Singapore International in January, and sits in sixth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“We are on the precipice of something really good,” said the 33-year-old from Arizona, who also has not missed the cut on the Asian Tour since the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup in May of 2019.
“I have been working on some things on my swing to minimize some of the curve that happens for me, so little bit technical stuff. Had some good feelings with the putter last week. But I felt like I game planned it and controlled it well. Hit some good putts out there on the back nine, and you want to give yourself a good chance on the back nine on Sunday. I didn’t feel like I hit a bad putt.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- L-R- Paul Peterson of the USA looks at his tee shot on the 2nd tee with Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He was paired with Thailand’s Ratchanon in the penultimate group on Sunday, at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course, and just as the teenage amateur was starting to pull away the American gave him a fright when he holed his bunker shot on 16 for a birdie to close the gap to two.
Said Peterson: “The hole out on 16 was awesome as I have really been working hard on my short game so that’s great to show itself under pressure.”
He finished three strokes behind Ratchanon, and one behind second place Joohyung Kim from Korea after carding a four-under-par 68 to finish 17 under. Both Ratchanon and 19-year-old Kim compete this week.
“I called it in my interview before, I thought 20 would win and I figured someone would come out firing, but I can’t be disappointed,” said Peterson, who has won once before on the Asian Tour in the 2018 Myanmar Open, and also claimed the 2016 Czech Masters on the European Tour.
“I said 20, I thought I would get to 18. All in all, I was happy with the way I played, I didn’t make many mistakes. I feel like the game has been trending in the right direction and you know, the consistency has been up. So that’s what I’m happy about.”
Like last week, this week’s event, which tees-off tomorrow, is also being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour and is being played on the Waterside Course.
Said Peterson: “I did play in a mixed event in Northern Ireland where it was kind of two events in one. But the girls in the first couple days here last week were great. Really nice ladies and fun to watch them play.”
The Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge will use the Modified Stableford scoring format, which encourages aggressive play.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Paul Peterson of the USA pictured on Friday April 8, 2022 during round two of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Unlike traditional scoring methods, where the aim is to have the lowest score, the objective in a Modified Stableford tournament is to have the highest score.
Modified Stableford awards points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole: albatross 8 points, eagle 5 points, birdie 2 points, par 0 points, bogey: -1 point, double bogey or more: -3 points.
The strategy in Modified Stableford formats can, in most instances, be summed up in three words: “Go for it.” This scoring format will reward risk-taking on the golf course.
For a player who admitted he had no confidence in his game at the start of last week, things didn’t turn out too shabbily for Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat.
Instead of lamenting a lack of practice due to the pressures of school work, the 15-year-old Thai simply relied on his prodigious talent … and ended the week at Siam Country Club by etching his name into golf’s history books, writes Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
In winning the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, the Shrewsbury International School Bangkok student became the youngest male player to win on one of the game’s major Tours. Furthermore, he’s just the fifth amateur to win on the Asian Tour and the first since 2009.
At the ripe old age of 15 years and 37 days old, it says much about TK’s standing that his triumph did not really register as a huge shock among those who have witnessed at first hand his Asian Tour appearances over the past six months.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand, pictured on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
During that period he’d made six cuts out of six, mounting legitimate title challenges at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship (tied 15th), International Series Thailand (tied 11th) and The Singapore International (third).
All the time, TK said he believed he could win on the Asian Tour. The few naysayers who took offence and dared to scoff at the arrogance of such a suggestion will now be eating a rather large portion of humble pie.
Not among their number are seasoned pros and Asian Tour members who have played alongside him. At Siam Country Club, Joohyung Kim, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and American left-hander Paul Peterson, a winner on the DP World Tour, both had front row seats.
“TK deserves this. There is no stopping him,” acknowledged Korea’s Kim, at 19 a veritable veteran compared to TK.
After being paired with TK for the final round at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Ladies European Tour, 33-year-old Peterson was equally effusive in his praise of the teenager.
“I got my ass kicked by a kid! But it was fun out there – fun to watch him. He plays with so much maturity. You could see him getting the adrenalin going. He handled himself really well,” said Peterson, now in 10th year as a pro and with a host of top-five Asian Tour finishes to his name, including victory in the 2018 Myanmar Open.
TK said his previous brushes with success helped him close the deal at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, but confessed that nagging self-doubts and insufficient preparation played out in his mind before the first shot was struck in anger.
“I actually had no confidence coming into this week. I wasn’t striking the ball well. But now that I’ve won an Asian Tour event my confidence will grow,” he said.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand, pictured on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
So, too, will his standing in the world game.
With his victory, Ratchanon Chantananuwat is set to soar to 258th in the Official World Golf Ranking that is compiled based on performances in professional events around the world.
He’s also projected to break into the top-20 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for the first time, leapfrogging China’s Ding Wenyi (20) and Jin Bo (24) and moving into second spot among Asians, behind only Japan’s Keita Nakajima, the number one in the standings. No wonder TK will be an overwhelming favourite for the individual golfing gold medal at the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, to be held in Hanoi next month.
As Ratchanon Chantananuwat was pulling off his heroics in Pattaya, Nakajima was making his debut in the Masters Tournament, reward for his win in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship late last year.
While most of the golfing world’s attention may have been focused on the 86th edition of the Masters, TK’s triumph on Thai soil did not go unnoticed at Augusta National.
Sir Nick Faldo has been monitoring the Thai’s spectacular rise since watching him win the 2020 Faldo Series Hua Hin title and participate in the Major Champions Invitational, an event created by the six-time Major champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member ‘to provide opportunities to young people through golf and help identify the next generation of champions’.
“Congratulations to TK,” said Sir Nick, who was on commentating duties at The Masters. “Throughout the week at Augusta National, I’ve been following TK’s progress in Thailand. He’s an outstanding talent and perhaps it won’t be too long before we see him here at Augusta in The Masters.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand, pictured on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Which inevitably leads to questions about TK’s future plans.
Having had to pass up the US$135,000 first prize cheque at Siam Country Club, the knee-jerk reaction would be for TK to relinquish his amateur status and join the ranks of the professionals.
Despite the obvious temptations to cash in on his success while the going’s good, TK himself has consistently declared his intention to remain on his current path and continue his studies.
“Nothing’s going to change,” he insisted in the immediate wake of his Asian Tour breakthrough. “I’m going to stay in school, go to college, practice more. That’s been my plan all along.”
That’s also the advice he’s been given by numerous Asian Tour players he’s discussed the issue with. Remaining amateur for a while yet is the right course of action and will not hurt or hinder his prospects of a glittering professional career when he and his family deem the time to be right, is the loud message he’s received.
“It seems like he’s got a really good family to help him. It seems they just let him be the way he is. If that can continue, the sky’s the limit for him,” predicted Peterson.
Ratchanon Chantananuwat, Thailand’s teenage golf sensation, finally achieved the impossible today when he claimed the US$750,000 Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup – becoming the youngest male player to win on one of the game’s major Tours.
The 15-year-old amateur –– fired a seven-under-par 65 to finish on 20 under and beat Korean Joohyung Kim by two shots at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course.
Kim, aged 19, returned a 64 while American lefthander Paul Peterson and Bio Kim from Korea ended third one stroke behind after firing 68 and 69 respectively.
Ratchanon at 15 years old and 37 days improved upon the previous best youngest winner mark set by Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who was 15 years and eight months when won the Japan Tour’s 2007 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand, pictured on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
And on the Asian Tour Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil had been the previous youngest champion, having claimed the 2005 Double A International Open when he was 17 years and five days old.
In one of the most captivating and historic finishes to an Asian Tour event, a whole host of players were in contention on the back nine.
But Ratchanon, playing in the penultimate group, made the decisive move when he birdied 14 and 15, for a three-shot lead over the chasing pack.
His cause was also helped when Kim, playing two groups ahead, found water on 17 and made bogey.
That appeared to hand victory to Ratchanon but Kim sensationally holed a 15 footer for eagle on the par-five 18th to get to 18 under and give the young Thai golfer a one-shot lead playing the last.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Once again showing maturity beyond his years, Ratchanon split the fairway with his drive, laid up safely short and holed a birdie putt from 12 feet.
“I am very excited, but I felt a lot of pressure,” said Ratchanon.
“I got to be honest, I got pretty lucky, I had hit two or three terrible drives. I saw that [Kim eagled 10] and was not surprised, he pulls off that stuff all the time. It put pressure on me but I tried not to look at it too much. I definitely have a lot of people to thank.”
The rising star, who studies at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok, has no plans to turn professional and will compete in the upcoming SEA Games in Vietnam.
He said: “This has been my plan all along. I enjoy going to college and learning everything. I have talked to a lot of players, and they have all said go to college.”
He also became the fifth amateur to win on the Asian Tour and first since 2009.
Kim, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, had the consolation of receiving the US$135,000 winners’ cheque.
“Made a careless mistake on 17 but recovered well with the eagle but let’s face it, TK deserves this. There is no stopping him. But this week has given me a lot of confidence for the season ahead,” said Kim.
Four-time Asian Tour winner John Catlin from the United States returned a 67 to finish in outright fifth, while in a tie for sixth was 17-year-old Chanoknan Angurasaranee from Thailand.
The US$750,000 tournament marked the first time the Asian Tour have staged a mixed event, as it is being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).
PATTAYA-THAILAND- L-R- Paul Peterson of the USA looks at his tee shot on the 2nd tee with Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand on Sunday April 10, 2022 during round four of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Competitors move to the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge next week, to be played at the same venue and boasts the same prizemoney.
The inaugural tournament will use the Modified Stableford scoring format.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Bio Kim from Korea both shot four-under-par 68s to take the third-round lead on 14 under in the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup today.
They lead by a stroke from Thailand’s rising female star Jaravee Boonchant (66) and her amateur compatriot Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat (70) plus American lefthander Paul Peterson (68).
The US$750,000 tournament marks the first time the Asian Tour have staged a mixed event, as it is being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The stacked leaderboard suggests a thrilling final day tomorrow which will also be a rematch between Phachara and Bio, who played together in the final pairing of the Laguna Phuket Championship in December which the former won.
“I played very well today,” said 22-year-old Phachara, whose win in Phuket was his first victory on the Asian Tour.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Bio Kim of the USA pictured on Saturday April 9, 2022 during round three of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“However, I should have done better. I played to my plan. The weather and course conditions did not affect me much because I have planned what to do. In the final round, I will create more opportunities for myself to shoot lower. I will focus more on putting, to make it better. I will just focus on my game and not being the champion.”
The Thai star, currently in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, will also be seeking redemption on Sunday as he had a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the International Series Thailand last month but finished runner-up to American Sihwan Kim.
Bio Kim is looking to secure his first title on the Asian Tour. He led the Phuket event by one shot from Phachara before tying for second place.
“It’s going to be a great final round. Phachara is a bomber!” said Bio Kim, who has finished in the top-10 in six of his last seven starts on the Asian Tour.
“I am not going to put pressure on myself, there are so many variables. A win on the Asian Tour would mean so much to me. I have had a great run of results recently so I am not far away.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Jaravee Boonchant of Thailand pictured on Saturday April 9, 2022 during round three of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ratchanon, aged 15, started the day in a share of the lead with Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen, who carded a 76 and slipped back to seven under.
Said the Thai youngster: “I definitely felt some pressure today, particularly over some putts. But I am learning all the time. I didn’t play very well and I am not making the putts. But I am now in the penultimate group tomorrow, so that’s an advantage.”
Jaravee, aged 22, shot the lowest round of the day to move into contention.
“The golf course is in great condition. It looks very pretty, and the greens are very nice, the ball is rolling pretty well. I love it and I like how they set it up,” she said.
“I think I hit my driver better today, so I put myself in good positions on the greens and holed a few today too. Most of the birdie putts were quite short because I was in a good position. I am trying not to focus on the outcome, I’m trying to stick to the plan and play how I have been playing this week so far.”
She graduated from Duke University in June last year, turned professional immediately after and claimed her first professional title at Thailand LPGA Masters at the end of last year.
Another of Thailand’s exciting young lady golfers, 17-year-old Chanoknan Angurasaranee carded a 67 and is one shot back in solo sixth.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand, pictured on Saturday April 9, 2022 during round three of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Four-time Asian Tour winner John Catlin from the United States made the most of moving day by firing a 66 and is just three behind the leaders, in joint seventh.
Last season’s Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim from Korea carded a 69 and is 10 under, while current number one Sihwan Kim return a 71 and is a shot further behind.
A prized and timely win on a one of the major tours can have an immediate and huge effect on a player’s career trajectory, writes Olle Nordberg – Contributing Editor, Asian Tour
As Anirban Lahiri recently said the week before finishing runner up at the Players Championship: “The beauty about what we do, is that you’re one week away from being a PGA Tour winner; you’re one week away from being at Augusta; you’re one week away from having a two, three-year exemption; you’re one week away from you having a different kind of conversation with me.”
While India’s Lahiri did not win the Players Championship in the end, his quotes are still very much true. One player who made a big career move recently by winning on the Asian Tour for the first time is Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong – who took home The DGC Open presented by MasterCard at the iconic Delhi Golf Club two weeks ago.
“Now I’m an Asian Tour winner and I’m so happy about it. My status has totally changed, you know,” said Nitithorn, who is performing well at this week’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
“Before I was a country exemption category player, and now I’m a tournament winner so it’s really getting easier to plan everything. Hopefully I can win again soon, I’m going to keep having a good process and we’ll see what happens.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Nitihorn Thippong of Thailand pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
As a tournament winner Nitithorn Thippong has a two-year exemption on the Asian Tour and can now pick his schedule as he wants, including this year’s elite field International Series events.
It was a win that almost didn’t even have a chance of happening, as he was considering skipping The DGC Open to make sure he would be able to play the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Series events this week and next.
He added: “Before India I finished tied-fourth at the Royal’s Cup in Kanchanaburi, but you know, first I was going to play in the Trust Golf Asian Mixed event in Thailand the same week as India to keep my ranking to play in this week’s event. But my dad said okay, if you have a chance to go to India you must go, because now you’re hitting the tee shots so well. And my caddie also said the same thing, so I thought I’ll go there, and we’ll see. I’ll go and try.”
The 25-year-old Thai is seemingly a very process-oriented player and has set very clear goals for each round and tournament, which he has worked out with his team:
He said: “I didn’t expect that I was going to win, I just tried to beat the course every day. My goal right now is I try to play 20-under every tournament, because the winners will have a big round one or two days in a week. My plan with my coach is that I want to shoot six-under or more every two days. I’ll try to do that anyway. I’m really happy about the win, but you know, the goal is to try to play more under than that. But yeah, I’m happy, I’m really happy about the result.”
Having just won the biggest title of his young career it would be easy to relax and enjoy the moment with family and friends, but Nitithorn Thippong does not plan to let that change his outlook on things.
“I think I got more confidence after winning The DGC Open, but right now I have to put that down and just keep playing the same, if you know what I mean? For me winning gave me a bit more confidence, but everything’s going to be the same,” said the Thai.
Nitithorn Thippong had already gotten off to a good start to his 2022 season, finishing tied-fourth in both the Royal’s Cup and the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on the All Thailand Golf Tour, but what was the key to his success at Delhi Golf Club?
“The key for me at that tournament, I hit my tee shots pretty straight and they were good at the time. So, I think on that course the tee shots were key for me, and I hit them well that week,” he said.
“It was my second time playing at Delhi Golf Club, and the last time I played it they didn’t have much rough on both sides of the fairway. Now they have more rough, so it’s easier to make the ball stay in the fairway. But they changed the greens also, the greens are so hard now. I was getting big bounces all the time, even in the fairways. So, when you hit into the rough, it was pretty difficult to hit it on the green too.”
NEW DELHI – INDIA – Nitihorn Thippong of Thailand celebrates on the 18th green during round four of the DGC Open presented by Mastercard at the Delhi Golf Club on Sunday March 27, 2022. The US$ 500.000 Asian Tour event is staged from March 24-27, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
This week he is off to a solid start at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, sitting four under par after two rounds, and is very much enjoying his time competing alongside the women from the Ladies European Tour and Trust Golf Tour.
“Playing in the Mixed Asian Series events like this week, it’s great to see how some of the female players play, they play quite differently than the guys. The girls hit it so straight and their short games are so good, so it’s good to play with them to get some new experiences. The girls are putting so good and hit it so straight, I think straighter than me. And the chance to get to know some of the other players, that’s a good thing too.”
Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat’s maturity was on display once again today when he comfortably handled the pressure of putting together a solid round the day after a super low score when he added a second round two-under-par 70 to his opening 63 to share the lead at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
The young Thai maestro moved to 11 under, on the Waterside Course at Siam Country Club, along with Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen, who also shot 70 – the ideal way to celebrate her birthday.
The pair had shared the overnight lead in the US$750,000 tournament which marks the first time the Asian Tour have staged a mixed event, as it is being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).
“There was a lot more wind today than yesterday, so tough conditions but overall I am not really happy with the way I played,” said 15-year-old Ratchanon.
“It wasn’t a great round, but it wasn’t that bad either. I scrambled two under and I am still in the lead, which is okay, but I could have been better.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Sanna Nuutinen of Finland pictured on Friday April 8, 2022 during round two of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He was even for his round, which he started on 10, with five to play but made birdies on five and six to put himself in a very strong position heading into the weekend.
He added: “I am still happy with how I played yesterday considering how little I prepared for this tournament. Today I was trying to build on as much as possible and not lose many strokes.
“[For the weekend] I am just going to try and play like yesterday and go as deep as possible and play with less pressure.”
Nuutinen turned 31 today and like Ratchanon held firm at the top as she goes in search of her first LET win.
“I found the conditions a bit tougher today. The morning conditions were super windy, but now it’s dying down a bit and a couple of pins were tucked,” she said.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand fist bumbs playing partner Sanna Nuutinen of Finland on their last hole on Friday April 8, 2022 during round two of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It is my birthday today. I will see what the girls have planned for me later on. The problem is I might enjoy the practice facilities too much, so I need my caddie to make sure I get on the bus to go to the hotel.”
She made four birdies and two bogeys, as did Ratchanon.
Bio Kim from Korea, South African Ian Snyman and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai are one shot back after rounds of 67, 67 and 69 respectively. Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol carded a 68 and is a further stroke behind with American Paul Peterson (66).
“Finished two rounds with double digits, which is always good and I am happy I am getting an interview which is always good. My game is on and off, my ball striking is a bit iffy. I was missing here and there with some of the shots, somehow, I got out of it and capitalized on the chances I had,” said Kim.
“At the moment I am not trying to go get something, I am trying to focus on my game. One shot at a time. To be honest with my ball striking and rhythm I need to get a little more sharper to reach the goals I want to achieve.
“I am losing shots to the right, somehow I got to fix it and go to the range, maybe a timing issue.”
Said Phachara: “Today my game was good although I made a double bogey. Overall, my performance over two days is acceptable and as planned. The only thing to improve is my putting. Will have to practice more on this. There was no problem with the windy condition, I am used to it. The remaining two days I will fight and keep to my ow game plan.”
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Bio Kim of Korea plays with his golf ball on the 8th tee on Friday April 8, 2022 during round two of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 22-year-old Thai star won the Laguna Phuket Championship in December for his first win on the Asian Tour.
American Sihwan Kim, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, returned his second successive 68 and is just three behind the leaders.
Last season’s Merit list champion Joohyung Kim from Korea impressed with a 65 and is seven under.
Thailand’s Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat started this week by saying he was short of practice because he was busy with his studies but that certainly did not show today as the irrepressible 15-year-old amateur star shot a nine-under-par 63 to share the lead in the inaugural Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
His magical round was matched by Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen, a member of the Ladies European Tour (LET), on the Waterside Course at Siam Country Club, while Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Hung Chien-yao from Chinese-Taipei carded 65s.
The US$750,000 tournament marks the first time the Asian Tour have staged a mixed event, as it is being jointly sanctioned with the LET.
Ratchanon has now shot two 63s in his last three rounds on the Asian Tour, the first one coming in the third round of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club last month.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Sanna Nuutinen of Finland pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“The one thing I have seen with these two 63s is I am not expecting anything,” said the Thai.
“At Black Mountain I birdied 18 to just make the cut, and then I shot nine under with zero expectations. The last three weeks since Black Mountain I have not been playing very much, I have been doing a lot of schoolwork. Out of the six or seven events I have played on the Asian Tour this one is the least I am prepared for, and yet I shot nine under, so I am going to have to start doing something with these low expectations.”
He made an eagle and three birdies on the front and four birdies on the homeward half.
He added: “Obviously with a start like this I am going to try and win it. I now know my approaches aren’t as bad as I thought. I won’t be upset if I don’t shoot nine under again, but I will try and go for as many birdies as possible and make the least bogeys as possible.”
The brilliant young golfer has not missed the cut in his six starts on the Asian Tour and finished third in The Singapore International in January.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand, pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Nuutinen’s mightily impressive round was built upon an incredible first nine eight-under-par 28, consisting of eight birdies and a par on five. A birdie on 10 suggested a phenomenal score was on the cards but the birdies dried up and she dropped a shot on 17 before making a birdie on 18 to catch Ratchanon, who was playing in the group ahead.
“I don’t really hole out much in practice rounds so I never really know if it’s coming,” said 30-year-old Nuutinen, who has won three times on the LET Access Series.
“I know I have been doing a lot of good work technique-wise, a little bit in putting. I actually flew home from LA [from LPGA events] to Finland for four days before coming here which was a change of plan. I think that was worth it to see my coaches for a couple of days and this happens next.”
She said: “I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about 59 because I did but it was just at one point. I told myself let’s see how low you can go, nothing really changed after I was nine-under I just kept going. Sometimes I have been in that situation before, and you might get a little bit defensive but I’m too old for that.”
Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen and Meghan Maclaren from England are in fifth after firing 66s.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim from the United States, who won the International Series Thailand came in with a 68, as did his compatriot and four-time Asian Tour winner John Catlin.
South African Ian Snyman, Kyongjun Moon from Korea and two of Thailand’s leading teenage lady golfers Arpichaya Yubol and Chanoknan Angurasaranee hold the clubhouse lead midway through the opening day of the inaugural Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup today.
They shot five-under-par 67s on the Waterside Course at Siam Country Club – in a US$750,000 tournament that marks the first time the Asian Tour have staged a mixed event, as it is being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).
Snyman, in his rookie season on the Asian Tour, appears to still be on a high after finishing equal third in the International Series Thailand last month for his best finish on the Asian Tour.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Kyongjun Moon of Korea pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I think I am just getting used to the Asian Tour now, the tournament atmosphere, how everything works,” said the South African.
“I think there is a lot less stress now. In the beginning there was lot of external stress, like the flight tickets, the grab taxes, I didn’t know how Asia worked. I started to figure that out with my coach Paul McKenzie, we are just doing the same things staying consistent, and fine tuning.”
It’s the first time he has played in a mixed event and he is enjoying the experience.
He added: “First time playing in a mixed event, so far so good. The pace of play was great. I played with Becky [Brewerton], she was awesome, she was friendly, we talked a lot about the set up of the golf course, it was a great time out there today.”
Moon’s performance was remarkable considering it his first competitive round for six months.
“I have had a problem with tennis elbow for six months, so this is my first tournament since that started. Everything felt great today, maybe the long break did me some good,” said the Korean.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Arpichaya Yubol of Thailand pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
However, the highlight of the morning session was Arpichaya and Chanoknan’s rounds as both youngsters compete on the local Thai LPGA Tour.
Last year, Arpichaya was Thai LPGA Order of Merit champion, and also won the Thailand Mixed Hosted by Trust Golf.
Said the 19 year old: “I was very excited to be playing today as this is such a big match, also great to play with international players. And I have played with male golfers quite a lot. I am very happy with my performance.”
Chanoknan, just 17 years old, was equally thrilled with her round.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Chanoknan Angurasaranee of Thailand pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Really happy today with my drives and approach shots. I prepared very well for this week and my caddie was a great help guiding me round,” said the teenager.
American John Catlin, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, returned a 68, with half the field still to complete their first round.
Thailand’s 15-year-old amateur marvel “TK” Ratchanon Chantananuwat will add another string to his bow this week when he competes in the Asian Tour’s first ever mixed event, the US$750,000 Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour, and says he has every expectation that “the ladies here can bomb it!”.
The tournament tees-off tomorrow at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course and is being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).
“I am very excited, this is definitely something different,” said the youngster.
“I am going to assume a lot of the ladies here can bomb it! I am not going to overlook the importance of making the cut as there could be 40 girls who make the cut this week and that’s going to be tough. If I make the cut, then I am going for the win. There’s a lot of World Ranking points this week so I am going to get as many as I can.”
Making the cut has never been an issue for him: he has made it through to the weekend in all six events he has played in since the end of last year. He nearly won one of them, The Singapore International, where he placed third.
He has been paired with Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord, a five-time Ladies European Tour winner, and Ursula Wikstrom from Finland for the first two days.
There’s no doubt the teen titan will impress, although he has been bogged down studying and preparing for exams recently.
“Honestly, I have been up to a lot of schoolwork, so haven’t had as much chance to do some serious practice,” he said.
SINGAPORE- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 yr old amateur of Thailand pictured celebrating with his father / caddie on green No 4 during round two, Friday January 14, 2022, at The Singapore International golf event at Tanah Merah Country Club, (Tampines Course). The US$1 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 13-16, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Over the weekend and past few days, I have been doing a bit more golf, so I am getting more and more ready. I still need to put in a little more work at the range today, but I should be ready by tomorrow.”
In his last outing on the Asian Tour, he tied for 11th in the International Series Thailand last month.
Said Ratchanon: “I got a ton of exams, it’s building up because it’s almost June and I also have the SEA Games coming up, it’s not a big, big, tournament but it’s not me anymore this is for the country, and I don’t want to disappoint. I am doing two IGCSE subjects early, biology and economics so that’s also in May two days before I fly so I have to do extra schoolwork and extra golf so it’s probably the hardest time for me to balance the two right now. If I want to win, I need to practice more.”
This week’s ground-breaking tournament features 60 Asian Tour players and 60 LET players, along with 24 sponsor invitations, playing for the same prize fund and trophy. The only difference is the women are playing off forward tees.
Competitors will stay on for the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge next week at the same venue. The event will also boast a purse of US$750,000 and be jointly sanctioned by the two Tours.
Each tournament will offer Official World Golf Ranking points, and count towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit and LET’s Race to the Costa del Sol.
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