Charongrat and Namo dominate wire-to-wire at JAT-NB3 Series Opener
Dynamic duo Charongrat Jitnavasathien and Namo Luangnitikul remained unshaken as they sealed their wire-to-wire victories in the A-class division at the inaugural JAT-NB3 Elite Series, held at Lakeview Resort & Golf Club in Phetchaburi on Sunday.
Charongrat, despite a mixed round that included an eagle on No. 12, a birdie, and three bogeys, held firm with an even-par 72. His final score of 3-under-par 213 narrowly edged out Trevor Cunningham by a single stroke.
Namo maintained her lead from start to finish on the girls' side. She fired five birdies, with two bogeys, to card a closing round of 69, finishing at 14-under-par 202. Chinese player Kang Shixin gave it her best shot, posting a 68, but couldn’t catch the Thai star, ending four strokes behind with 206.
“Incredibly, I closed with a 69 despite hitting the bunkers several times. Maybe I miss my home in Phuket,” said the 16-year-old Namo, who now heads back to school, with a test awaiting her on Monday. “I’ll take a break to study, but I’ll also keep practising as I want to compete in the second series. It’s been great playing and hanging out with fellow golfers on the course.”
In the B-class boys’ event, Jessada Chuangprayoon shot four birdies and four bogeys for a 73, securing the title with a five-over-par 221. He edged Taeoh Ryu by one stroke, with the latter finishing at six-over-par 222 after a final-round 75. Thanyanate Bhummabhutit claimed the girls’ B-class trophy with a score of 10-over-par 226, just one shot clear of Phannaphisar Kiatphonsiri.
The boys’ C-class saw Natt Teeratpong triumph with a score of 11-over-par 155, holding off Tachin Thongrattana, who finished a stroke behind at 156. In the girls’ C-class, Sirinyamas Thummarattanadee won comfortably with a total of seven-over-par 151, 13 strokes ahead of runner-up Sirinyakorn Wongsiriluk.
This tournament, a partnership between the Junior Asian Tour (JAT) and the Notah Begay III (NB3) Junior Golf Championship in the US, allows players to accumulate points across seven events. The ultimate goal is qualification for the NB3 World Championship in November 2025. The event also contributes to the Junior Golf Scoreboard and World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The first leg of the series followed a stroke-play format with four age categories: A (15-18 years), B (13-14 years), playing 54 holes over three days, and C (10-12 years), competing over 36 holes in two days.
The second JAT-NB3 Elite Series is set to return to Lakeview Resort & Golf Club, Phetchaburi, from October 11-13. Points earned during the tournament will contribute to the Junior Golf Scoreboard, World Amateur Golf Ranking, and JAT Order of Merit. Across all seven JAT-NB3 Elite Series events, players will compete for spots in the Asian Championships next year, where eight winners will secure their places in the 2025 World Championships in the US.
