Singapore: Thanks to some last-gasp heroics by Natipong Srithong and Suthavee Chanachai, Thailand fulfilled their dream of sweeping all four gold medals at the 28th SEA Games at the Sentosa Golf Club in Serapong yesterday.
Members of the Thai golf team celebrate with their gold medals.
Thailand had earlier recorded a similar clean sweep at the 2007 Games in Nakhon Ratchasima.
In the men’s individual, Natipong produced a par on the first play-off hole to spell a quick end to Singaporean Swee Johnson Pho Kiat’s challenge to win the gold medal. They were level on one-under-287 after four days of gruelling golf.
It was the first individual SEA Games gold medal for the 21-year-old Thai, who was making his third appearance in the biennial tournament. His previous best was a silver medal at the 2011 Games in Indonesia.
Compatriot Tawan Pongphun (71) took the bronze medal, while overnight leader Sarit Suwannarat came in fourth with 290, following a soaring round of three-over-par 75 yesterday. Kasidit Lepkrute (75) finished eighth on 295.
In the team event in which the three best scores counted, defending champions Thailand successfully held on to their title with an aggregate of 859 with Singapore (867) and Indonesia (883) coming in second and third.
In the women’s individual, Suthavee, who led by three shots going into yesterday’s final round, carded a 69 to win the gold with a three-round total of seven-under-par 209. The 18-year-old had an eagle, four birdies and three bogeys on the final day.
Finishing in the second place was Rivani Sihotang of Indonesia followed by Sock Koh Hwee of Singapore. Rivani, Sock and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn were level on 220 in the second place at the end of three rounds and a play-off was staged to decide the medallists. Pajaree crashed out after the first play-off hole.
Benyapa Niphatsophon, who won the team gold at the 2014 Asian Games, made a 74 to finish sixth.
The Thai trio also stormed to a win in the team event with 426, while Indonesia and Singapore had 446 and 452 to take the silver and bronze medals.
Natipong, who is a fourth-year law student at Thammasat University, said he had accomplished his mission before turning professional later this year.
“My father wished me to win both gold medals because it would be my last SEA Games and I did it,” said Natipong. “I want to turn pro at the King’s Cup event in December.”
Natipong, who was also a member of the bronze-winning team at last year’s Asian Games, said he could have won the gold easily had he not missed an eagle putt on the last hole. However, a par was enough for him to win in the play-off.
“He [Kiat] teed off first, so I knew how to play,” said the Thai gold medallist, who yesterday made six birdies, including three on the last four holes, against five bogeys. “Kiat missed the second shot and I took that chance to win the fight.”
Natipong had also bagged the team gold medals in the 2011 and 2013 editions.
The 17-year-old Suthavee, who had a special word of thank for her parents, said she was a bit nervous entering the final round but relaxed after getting an eagle on the par-five fourth hole.
“Actually, I wasn’t hoping for a gold in the individual event. My main target was the team title,” said the Games debutant. “As the event progressed, my confidence in my game grew. I want to thank the team staff for success.”
Rangsrid Luxitanond, president of the Thailand Golf Association, was really pleased that his team could achieve the four-gold target. He added that soon some of the medallists will join the professional ranks so he would nurture fresh talents for the Putra Cup and Nomura Cup later this year.
Team manager Kanes Nitiwanakul and coach Preecha Senaprom praised all his players for their efforts and for improving on their two-gold haul at the last edition in Myanmar where they won the men’s individual and team events.
Meanwhile, Thailand enjoyed a one-two finish in the men’s wakeboarding.
Padiwat Jaemjan was crowned champion with 79.33 points ahead of fellow Ratchaburi native Tatsanai Kuakoonrat who managed 72.11 points. The bronze went to Mark Howard Griffin of the Philippines on 69 points.
Padiwat Jaemjan wins the men’s wakeboarding gold.