This week’s Yeangder TPC will witness one of the most highly anticipated events in Asian golf when Thailand’s Ratchanon Chantananuwat, better known as ‘TK’, makes his debut as a professional.

Four years after setting a world record by winning the Asian Tour’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup as a 15-year-old amateur, the Thai wonderkid will finally play for pay when he tees-off on Thursday at Linkou International Golf & Country Club.

The 19-year-old has chosen to take a break from his studies at Stanford University, while also looking to capitalise on the Asian Tour’s renewed partnership with the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour and the opportunities it brings.

“Multiple reasons [to turn professional],” the 19-year-old said this week. “First of all, my goal has always been to play professional golf, and I feel like the Asian Tour is heading in a great direction with the addition of DP World Tour cards, HotelPlanner cards, potential co-sanctioned events, and just huge exciting events in Asia.

“And with the strength of the players getting better and better every year, I feel like there’s really no better time to be playing out here. And the best thing out of all this is thanks to Stanford’s leave of absence policies I can still take time off school, play a full professional schedule, and then return to take classes whenever the time is right.”

Ratchanon Chantananuwat.

When he won the Trust Golf Mixed Cup on home soil in April of 2022 he became the youngest player to win a recognised Official World Golf Ranking tournament, at the age of 15 years and 37 days. Earlier that year he also finished third in the Singapore International, while the following season excelled again, tying for fourth at the Saudi Open – continuing to amaze fans, in awe of a golfer so young.

His attention then focused on Stanford University, one of the most prestigious schools of learning in the United States where Tiger Woods graduated, but the lure of returning to play on the Asian Tour has clearly been too hard to ignore.

He said: “The Asian Tour means a whole world to me. It’s literally where I started. Everyone’s so special, Cho [Cho Minn Thant], the staff, the players. Everyone’s been super nice, and I just wouldn’t be here without the Asian Tour. So being able to start my professional career here is super exciting, and it’s a great honour.”

He added that keeping his card while also playing stress free golf more like in the amateur game are his main goals.

“I just want to stay as TK as long as possible, and perhaps a win would be a nice bonus,” he added.

Despite putting his studies on hold for now he is completely aware of the importance of Stanford.

“[It’s] Very important, not just as a golfer, but I think more so as a person learning life skills, like time management, how to live alone, how to be an adult. I think just preparing me not just for the Asian Tour, but how to deal with life in general.

Ratchanon Chantananuwat.

Asked how different he is now compared when he won in 2022, he explained: “Very different, different player, different person. I guess we’ll see how it plays out. Definitely not the same golfer. I wish I could say I was, but we’ll find out.”

He has been paired with Chinese-Taipei’s Wei-lun Chang and Jack Thompson from Australia in the first two rounds.

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.