Kiradech wins Pattaya Open
April 06, 2009
PATTAYA, Thailand: Thai teenager Kiradech Aphibarnrat showed he is a star of the future with a runaway 11-stroke victory in the Singha Pattaya Open on Sunday.
The talented 19-year-old became the youngest winner on the Mercedes-Benz Tour with a final round 67 for a 23-under-par total of 261 at Burapha Golf Club. Kiradech, a former world junior champion, left a strong field in his wake with an assured display that belied his years.
Veteran Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines finished runner-up after a closing even par 69 while Thailand-based Pakistani Nadeem Inayat, the halfway leader, shot a 71 for third place a further shot behind. Kiradech’s success marked a milestone on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, launched in 2007 with the aim of nurturing talented young players.
He succeeded the promising Rory Hie of Indonesia as the tour’s youngest winner. Hie was aged 20 when he won The International Championship, Indonesia, last October.
The talented 19-year-old became the youngest winner on the Mercedes-Benz Tour with a final round 67 for a 23-under-par total of 261 at Burapha Golf Club. Kiradech, a former world junior champion, left a strong field in his wake with an assured display that belied his years.
Veteran Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines finished runner-up after a closing even par 69 while Thailand-based Pakistani Nadeem Inayat, the halfway leader, shot a 71 for third place a further shot behind. Kiradech’s success marked a milestone on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, launched in 2007 with the aim of nurturing talented young players.
He succeeded the promising Rory Hie of Indonesia as the tour’s youngest winner. Hie was aged 20 when he won The International Championship, Indonesia, last October.
