Happy Go Lucky Saranporn lifts up Phuket title

The 17-year-old carded a final 69 for a total eight under-par-202 to celebrate her sixth All Thailand Tour title and her first in 2017.

“I was feeling quite confident since I was on my way from Bangkok. If I can live up to my level, I should be able to win,” said the happy go lucky Saranporn who took the winner’s prize money of Bt32,000.

Two-time All Thailand Tour Order of Merit winner in 2015 and 2016 had to play 33 holes on Saturday as her second round play of 15 holes was postponed from Friday’s due to incessant downpours.

The teenager who also won two Thai LPGA events last year which propelled her to the No 1 player of the year admitted she felt relieved to carry the home expectations as the heavy favourite to win this week.

“Everyone wanted me to win because I’m home girl. But to be honest I barely play one this course. But the course suits my game as I can drive the ball quite far even it’s wet. So it was a load-off to live up to the expectations and won for the first time this year,” added Saraporn or Ein (one), a German nickname dubbed by her father.

Preenaphan from Hua Hin shot a bogey free 67 and a total 205 for a lone second with Chommapak Pongthanarak coming at third with a total 207.

In the men’s third round actions, Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol had to play 30 holes before he maintained the lead both in the second round (63) and third (61) for a three round of 24 under-par-186, four shots ahead of Thailand Open champion Rattanon Wannasrichan.

The 23-year-old Chanachok was on fire as he shot eight success birdies from the sixth to 13^th holes before stumbling to his first bogey in two days on the 16 th. If not because of the prefer lie rules, Chanachok’s eight straight birdies would eclipse the Asian Tour record of six set by Pavit Tangkamolprasert in 2015.

“I was feeling confident since the second round in the morning. I was into the grove making birdie after birdie with only one mistake on the 16^th. I may have four stroke lead but Rattanon is dangerous from winning last week. I will play my game tomorrow. Whatever will be will be tomorrow,” said Chanachok looking for his first ADT win.

Rattanon fired a stunning 60 for the tournament’s lowest and stayed in hunt for back-to-back victories after the maiden Asian Tour crown on Sunday at the Thai Country Club.

“I didn’t hit the iron well on the first day but from then on I have found my momentum. I’m quite confident with my game coming from last week. I want to win two weeks in a row and I will fight hard tomorrow,” said Rattanon who achieved his second 10 under in a round after the ADT event in Nakhon Ratchasima two years ago.