Golfer Poom fulfils mum's desire for title as birthday gift

 

The 25-year-old from Surat Thani had forgotten to buy his mother a birthday gift last month but the first career win at the All Thailand Golf Tour season opener turned out to be memorable compensation.

“She asked me if I could do her a favour by winning the title for her,” said the delighted Poom, who hugged his tearful mother after the win.

Poom, whose previous best result was a runner-up in the Asian Development Tour in Indonesia 2018, carded a final-round 65 for a total 27-under-par 257 to beat Sadom Kaewkanjana by a shot. He started the day a shot behind overnight leader Gunn Charoenkul but surged into contention with an eagle on the 14th hole followed by a birdie on the 16th, which put him in the driver’s seat.

 

Poom embraces his mother

“This is beyond expectation. In the past I came close several times but never really made it. I finally rose to the challenge,” added Poom, who is coached by Annop Tangkamoprasert, a former Tour player.

“I’ve learned how to focus on my game, not worrying about what’s going on, especially the score, much. I’ve been really focused since the first day and it paid off,” added Poom, who won Bt600,000 prize money as the winner.

As Gunn was error-prone on the back-nine and lost the lead, it was a close duel between Sadom and Poom. With four straight birdies from holes 9-12, Sadom briefly grabbed the top of the leader’s board but a bogey on the 16th pushed him one back. He ended with a 65 and 26-under-par 258 on aggregate.

 

Sadom Kaewkanjana

The second place, however, was not so bad for the 22-year-old Sadom, who enjoyed his best finish after winning the Bangladesh Open, an Asian Tour event, in 2019.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect to come this far after missing the cut last week [at the Thailand Mixed in Hua Hin]. I’m regaining a lot of confidence and hope to get my momentum back,” said Sadom, who took home Bt380,000 as runner-up.