Singapore: Itthipat Buranatanyarat rounded off a superb week with a closing six-under-par 66 to win by three shots for his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the US$100,000 Players Championship.
The 22-year-old Thai compiled a career-best winning total of 20-under-par 268 at the Raffles Country Club’s par-72 Palm Course to take home the winner’s prize purse of US$17,500 and six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
The victory also earned him a spot at next week’s US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club, a Golf Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Newcomer Suradit Yongcharoenchai, also of Thailand, signed for a 67 to take second place while overnight leader Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (71) slipped to third place with Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna (67) on 272.
Quincy Quek and Choo Tze Huang emerged as the highest-placed Singaporeans in tied-11th place on 277 following rounds of 68 and 70 respectively in the first ADT event to feature in the Lion City since the Tour was inaugurated in 2010.
“I got off to a really strong start. That gave me quite a bit of confidence. I told myself to stay calm and not get ahead of myself. I just stuck to my own gameplan. I am very happy with my win and very excited to play on the Asian Tour next week. It’s a very good opportunity for me,” said Itthipat, who is nicknamed ‘Boom’.
Itthipat won his maiden ADT title last April.
“I think I am not ready to play on the Asian Tour yet. The ADT is a very good platform for me to improve my game. I thought I should give myself another year to play on the ADT. But having said that, I think it will be a very good experience for me next week,” added the Thai.
