Nakhon Ratchasima: Thailand's Namchok Tantipokhakul defeated countryman Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol on the second play-off hole to win his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship yesterday.
The 30-year-old Namchok, who held a five-shot lead heading into the final round, fired three birdies in his opening five holes but dropped a shot on nine to turn in 33. He stumbled with another double-bogey on 12 before trading two bogeys against a birdie in the next four holes.
It was a crucial four-footer birdie putt on the last hole 18 which saw him close with an even-par 71 to force the play-off with Chanachok, who had returned with a 66, at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club. The duo finished tied on 14-under 270 total in regulation play.
Namchok and Chanachok parred the first play-off hole -- the par-four 18th -- after missing a five-footer and eight-footer respectively. It was a sensational 12-feet eagle putt that sealed the deal for Namchok on the same hole as Chanachok missed his eagle putt from 20 feet.
"I started very well but I struggled with my mental game for a while in the middle of the round. I hit it into the water on the 12th hole and ended up with a double-bogey there and three-putted the next hole for bogey," said Namchok, who had earlier eagled the 18th hole in the second round of the tournament.
"I missed a lot of putts today. The only one I made was probably the one on the last which helped me get into the play-off!"
Namchok, who last won on the ADT in 2015, was thrilled to end his season on a high note with the victory, especially after missing out on his 2018 Asian Tour card following a 67th place finish on the Order of Merit last week.
"I was really nervous heading into the end of the round but when I knew I got into the play-off with Chanachok, I told myself to just enjoy the process and not think about the result. Chanachok is like my brother so we were both having fun out there," Namchok added.
Starting the round with a five-shot deficit, the 23-year-old Chanachok returned with a flawless round highlighted by one eagle and three birdies, including two closing birdies on 17 and 18, to go the distance with Namchok.
Thanyakon Khrongpha, Chinnarat Phadungsil and Jazz Janewattananond ensured a strong Thai presence on the leaderboard after signing for respective rounds of 66, 66 and 67 to share third place on 271 at the four-million-baht event.