Khon Kaen, Thailand, August 19 - Thailand discovered another golfing gem today when Gunn Charoenkul triumphed in the US$65,000 Singha E-San Open.
The little known 20-year-old beat Malaysian Nicholas Fung on the first extra hole at Singha Park Golf Club to claim his first title since turning professional last year.
At the start of the week a host of big name players, part of strong international field, were expected to dominate but in one of the biggest upset victories on the ASEAN PGA Tour Gunn pulled off a shock wire-to-wire win.
A bogey on the 18th, for a one-over-par 73, saw him fall into a play-off with Fung who made par on the last. However, Gunn quickly rose to the challenge when they returned to the last and nailed an 18 foot birdie putt from just off the green for victory.
Fung closed with a 70 to finish tied on 14-under-par 274.
Indonesian number one Rory Hie carded a 75 to claim outright third four shots short of the play-off.
Gunn had a two shot lead after each of the first three days and showed maturity beyond his years to prevail over the more experienced Fung and Hie.
A 60 foot birdie putt on 16 proved crucial although Fung putt the pressure on when he chipped in for birdie on 17.
“I’m as much relieved as happy. It was a bit of a grind out there, but that might have been just us in the final group. I’m really happy to have won, really happy to have led a tournament all the way for the first time,” said Gunn, who won US$9,450.
His previous best finish on the ASEAN PGA Tour came last year when he ended equal ninth in the Ancora Classic in Indonesia.
“Again though I got four shots in front and tried to do too much, even though I said yesterday I wouldn’t. I have to thank my caddie, my uncle, he’s been great all week keeping me calm. I hope he stays on the bag for the next five years.”
The young man from Pattaya manages his golf schedule while also studying marketing at University in Thailand.
Both Fung and Hie were chasing their second titles on the ASEAN PGA Tour but Gunn proved too good in E-San.
Defending champion Udorn Duangdecha from Thailand returned a 71 to tie for fourth five off the lead.
One stroke further back were Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Thaworn Wiratchant, with rounds of 69 and 70 respectively.
Leading final round scores (Par 72, Thai unless stated):
274 - Gunn Charoenkul 64 67 70 73, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 67 67 70 70
(Gunn won sudden-death play-off on first extra hole)
278 - Rory Hie (INA) 67 66 70 75
279 - Rattanon Wannasrichan 69 67 70 73, Udorn Duangdecha 70 71 67 71
280 - Prom Meesawat 70 71 70 69, Thaworn Wiratchant 70 72 68 70
281 - Piya Swangarunporn 68 70 67 76
282 - Atthaphon Sriboonkaew 69 68 74 71
284 - Wisut Artjanawat 69 68 73 74, Michael Tran (VNM) 68 70 70 76, Sirapong Maitreeyuenyong 69 71 70 74
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