Sadom qualifies for British Open with Korea win

SEOUL: Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana claimed a spot at this year’s British Open at Royal Portrush after reeling in countryman Poom Saksansin to win the Korea Open by two strokes on Sunday.

Sadom won his third title on the Asian Tour after holding his nerve on the final day at La Vie Est Belle golf club to overturn Poom’s one-stroke overnight lead. Sadom made two crucial birdies on the back nine after an up-and-down opening to lift his first trophy on the Asian Tour in three years.

The 26-year-old said he was “very excited” to win the competition and secure his place at the Open in Northern Ireland in July. “It is a big honour to win this event, it’s one of the biggest in the region,” he said.

Sadom bogied three holes on the front nine, including the first, but evened it out with four birdies to finish seven-under par overall. He was locked in a close tussle with playing partner Poom but kept his composure to hang on for the victory.

“I’m happy when I play with my Thai friends,” said Sadom. “It helps, and Poom is a great player.” Poom was chasing his fifth win on the Asian Tour but he made a nightmare start with a double-bogey on the second hole.

He then bogied two consecutive holes on the back nine to hand Sadom the initiative, and was given the news after he finished his round that his grandmother had passed away. “It was a tough day, not too bad actually to finish in second place and keep my card,” he said.

“But I got some bad news from my house, so the result is not important now.” South Korea’s Yoo Song-gyu finished third. Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, ended the

competition in a tie for fourth. Former Australian motorcycle gang member-turned-golfer Ryan Peake, who also qualified for the British Open after winning the New Zealand Open earlier this year, finished 57th.