Chinarat is talk of Asian Tour
It takes the average Bangkokian 46 minutes to earn a Big Mac
Will this 17 Chinarat Phadungsil the next Tiger Woods?— EPA |
Kuala Lumpur - Thai youngster Chinarat Phadungsil was hailed as the future of Asian golf after a stunning weekend win which gave him his second Tour victory at the age of just 17.
"Chinarat is rock-solid. He's playing good. It's surprising to say that he's only 17. He's cool, calm and collected. He's got good technique and a good golf swing. Everything is good about him," said experienced Indian Amandeep Johl, who played two rounds with the young Thai last week.
The supremely talented Chinarat, whose nickname "Neung" is Thai for the number one, kept his cool to win the Crowne Plaza Open in Sanya, China, after a dramatic play-off with compatriot Prom Meesawat and Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang.
The victory on the second extra hole catapulted him to 19th place on the Order of Merit with season's earnings of $101,121 (3,800,050 baht), a considerable amount for a teenager.
But Chinarat, who became the Asian Tour's youngest winner at last year's Double A International, appeared unfazed by his new-found wealth and reputation.
"I'm going to keep the money in the bank and use it to play in other tournaments," he said.
It was also an emotional win for the teenager after the death of his coach Bud Kareeput last month.
"I am giving this win to my teacher," he said. "Bud was like my second dad. I learned everything from him and the best advice that I got from him was that he said lazy players will not succeed."
Through his golfing parents, Chinarat took up the sport when he was eight and blossomed into a fine player, winning last year's World Junior Amateur Championship in San Diego.
He turned professional after his historic triumph at the Double A International last November and posted three top-10 finishes in Asia before his second title.
"It's been quite difficult. I had to do everything by myself. I needed to show more discipline and more concentration as it's me alone out there," he said.
"When I was an amateur, everything was done for me. Now, as a pro, you have to make the adjustments."
He plays practice rounds regularly with Thai stalwarts like reigning Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng and Thammanoon Srirot, who have 18 Asian titles between them.
"I have a few Thai players who are my heroes. Thaworn is good for his chipping and putting abilities, Thammanoon is a good friend and Prayad is a good driver of the ball. I play with them and I learn from them," he said.
Chinarat's ultimate goal would be to qualify and play on the US PGA Tour but he is in no rush.
"I would like to finish in the top-10 of the UBS Order of Merit here first," he said. "Maybe I will try to win the merit title within a few years' time." AFP
talent
natural ability to do something well
discipline
being able to work and behave in a controlled way.
hail
praise
rock-solid
very reliable, with no weaknesses
collected
calm and self-controlled
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supremely
greatly
compatriot
a person from the same country
catapult
suddenly put in a particular situation
unfazed
not worried or surprised by something unexpected that happens
blossom
become successful
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amateur
done as a hobby and not a job, i.e., without receiving pay
concentration
giving all your attention to something
adjustments
changes in a person's behaviour or thinking
stalwarts
loyal members or supporters of something
reigning
the most recent winner of a contest or competition
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