Amateur Sarit emerges champ
EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD AMATEUR Sarit Suwannarat won his first title of the year, beating Udorn Duangdecha in a play-off in the final round of the Singha Pattaya Open at the par-70, 7,059-yard Burapa Golf and Resort yesterday.
Udorn and Sarit were tied at 16-under after both fired 67 in regulation. Udorn, in fact, was leading by a stroke on 17-under when a bogey on the 17th allowed his young opponent to get into contention.
Udorn missed a birdie on the par 4 18th hole with a wedge shot from the fringe of the green in the play-off while Sarit sank a two-foot putt for his maiden victory.
“I didn’t really expect to win this. An under-par score in the final round would have been fine for me. I am very excited. I thank my parents for all the support,” Sarit said during the trophy presentation.
As an amateur Sarit, last year’s SEA Games men’s team gold medallist, was not eligible for the winner’s prize money of Bt450,000.
Udorn was therefore awarded the prize money. The 45-year-old from Chiang Mai again had to settle for the runner-up position on the All Thailand Tour after losing the final to Namchok Tantipokhakul at Rayong Green Valley Club last month.
Young gun Jazz Janewattananond, with a finishing 67, followed in lone third at 14-under-par 266, four shots ahead of veteran Thaworn Wiratchant, who signed off with a 67 for a 270 total.
