Nakhon Pathom, Thailand: Pavit Tangkamolprasert bounced back from a wrist injury to close with a three-under-par 69 and claim a record sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the ฿3 million (about US$96,000) Betagro Championship.
The 29-year-old Thai, who held a three-shot advantage heading into the final round thanks to a sparkling third round 62, traded six birdies against three bogeys to win by one shot with a 19-under-par 269 total at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
With his first victory on home soil, Pavit now holds the most number of wins on the ADT, which was inaugurated as a gateway to the Asian Tour in 2010. He had shared the record with Chan Shih-chang after claiming his fifth title in Chinese Taipei in 2016.
Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong, playing in his first tournament following an eight-month injury-layoff, was hot on Pavit’s heels, firing five birdies against a bogey in his opening 11 holes before nailing an eagle-birdie on 14-15 to tie the lead.
Two bogeys in his closing three holes, however, saw Thitiphun settle for a 67 to share second place with countryman Sattaya Supupramai, who carded a 65.
“It feels incredible, I didn’t have any expectations this week because I was just looking forward to coming back to compete and playing with my friends on home ground. I think that’s why I did well because I didn’t think about winning. It is just a bonus that I can set a new record on the ADT,” said Pavit, the 2014 ADT Order of Merit champion.
Pavit injured his right wrist after hitting an errant shot at the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan last month and was forced to stay away from competitive golf prior to this week.
He attempted to tee up at the Asian Tour’s Maekyung Open in Korea earlier this month but withdrew from the tournament during the second round.