In-form Sadom Kaewkanjana wrapped up his fruitful year on a high note after he beat Wichayapat Sinsrang by two strokes to win the five-million-baht Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at the Aquella Golf and Country Club in Phangnga yesterday.
The young gun from Narathiwat and rookie Wichayapat emerged the two strong contenders right from the start as they took turns in either dominating or sharing the leaderboard.
But a gutsy eagle on the 14th hole handed All Thailand Golf Tour No.1 Sadom an upper hand with a two-shot margin and he held onto the lead to sign off with a final 64 and a four-day overall score of 29-under-par 259.
"That eagle on the 14th really made me more confident which was the key. I'm really confident with my short game and I barely made mistakes. In fact, I committed only two bogeys this week," said Sadom, who took home 750,000 baht.
Sadom has been the most outstanding male golfer this year with five wins -- three on the All Thailand Golf Tour, one on the Thailand PGA Tour and one on the Thailand TrustGolf Tour.
"This is beyond my expectation. If you asked me at the start of 2021, I wouldn't say that I would win five titles," said Sadom.
Sadom is also rewarded a free scholarship at Rangsit University to pursue a degree in golf from bachelor's degree to doctoral level.
Wichayapat started at the first tee-off with a shot advantage and was still one up after 10 holes. However, a disappointing bogey on the 12th allowed Sadom to share the lead on 25 under and even he fought back with two birdies, it was too late. He finished on 27-under 261 and earned 500,000 baht.
Rounding up the top three was two-time Thailand Mixed champion Prom Meesawat, who shot a 65 to finish on 25-under 263. He will return to his home in Hua Hin 300,000 baht richer.
Whiz Kid Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14, won the best male amateur while national player Natthakritta Vongtaveelap won the best female amateur. Both shot 267 to finish tied sixth.