Sarit Suwannarut and Kanyalak Preedasuttijit won at the 80th Singha Thailand Amateur Open at Panya Indra Golf Club yesterday.
With a three-shot lead after three rounds, Sarit closed with an even-par 72 to win the men’s title on 276. He was two shots better than runner-up Yet Htet Aung of Myanmar who made his second straight 69 for 279.
Sarit Suwannarut, left, and Kanyalak Preedasuttijit.
Singapore’s Abdul Hadi struggled with a 73 to finish third on 280 while compatriot Gregory Foo (70) was a stroke further behind. Jerome Ng of Singapore (69) and Fadhli Soetarso of Indonesia (70) were tied for fifth on 284.
Following his third appearance at Thailand’s oldest golf tournament, Sarit admitted that he struggled on the final day when he had two birdies and two bogeys.
Sarit received the King Rama VII trophy and followed in the footsteps of Thailand’s leading golfers who won the title including three-time Asian Tour No.1 Thongchai Jaidee (1998) and four-time Japan Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng (1990).
In the women’s event, overnight leader Kanyalak won by two strokes. She fired a final 73 with one birdie and two bogeys to finish on 280.
Compatriot Parinda Phokan (72) came in second on 282 while Yuka Saso of the Philippines (70) was third on 285.
Princess Superal of the Philippines, who won the US Girls’ Junior Championship in August, finished tied for 14th on 303 following her final 72.
The 15-year-old Kanyalak from Chon Buri said she was happy to win on her debut at the prestigious tournament.
“I did not play well and my approach shots were poor,’’ said Kanyalak, who won a Thai LPGA Tour event recently.
“I was nervous and I am happy to overcome it and win the title.’’
Kanyalak got the trophy offered by Rangsrid Luxitanonda, president of the Thailand Golf Association.