Published on May 28, 2017

Phuket, Thailand: Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol completed a wire-to-wire victory for his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the inaugural Singha Phuket Open.
The 23-year-old Thai, who held a four-shot advantage heading into the final round, dropped two bogeys in his closing three holes but signed off with a three-under-par 67.
That gave him a four-day total of 27-under-par 253 and a one-shot victory in the two million baht (about US$58,140) event at Laguna Golf Phuket, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Newly-crowned Asian Tour champion Rattanon Wannasrichan rolled in a birdie putt on the last to close with a 64 and take second place on his own.
Fellow Thai Sutijet Kooratanapisan also had cause to celebrate after carding a 59 to grab third place on 256. His sizzling round featured an eagle and nine birdies but will not count as a new record on the ADT because preferred lies were used.
Sutijet, who headed into the final round with a 11-shot deficit, sank a 15-footer for birdie on the last to set a new personal best 18-hole score. He had fired a 12-under-par 60 en route to claiming his first ADT title in Malaysia last April.
“I wasn’t even thinking about winning the tournament. After a front-nine 30, my aim was to try and shoot a 59 to beat my own record. I wasn’t thinking much towards the end. My iron play was solid and I was just riding on that confidence.
“I had a chip-in birdie from 15 yards on 15 and that got my momentum going and somehow sparked the four birdies in a row coming in,” Sutijet said.
Chanachok, who secured his Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School in January and landed his first professional win on the local circuit in March, continued to make it a season to remember.
“I got really nervous towards the end, especially after dropping two shots. I didn’t drive the ball well today. I kind of lost my game plan on the last few holes but luckily I was still able to par the last to secure my title.
“This win means a lot to me. It will give me a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the season. I am also happy because this win will boost my world ranking,” said Chanachok, who shot rounds of 62, 61 and 63 before heading into the final 18 holes.
As well as taking home the winner’s prize purse of US$8,697, Chanachok receives six Official World Golf Ranking points.