Khon Kaen (Thailand): Nicholas Fung sufferd another runner-up heartbreak after unheralded Gunn Charoenkul triumphed on the first extra hole in the US$65,000 Singha E-San Open on Sunday.
Trailing Charoenkul by three strokes after 54 holes, the 23-year-old Sabahan drained crucial birdies on the closing stretch, including a monstrous 60-footer on the 16th to close with a round of two-under 70 to reel in the little known Thai on 14-under-par 274 at the end of regulation play at Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.
But the 20-year-old Charoenkul, who had stumbled with a bogey on the closing hole for a one-over 73, showed maturity beyond his years to prevail in the playoff, nailing an 18-foot birdie putt from just off the green for victory.
Indonesian number one Rory Hie carded a 75 to claim outright third four shots short of the play-off while defending champion Udorn Duangdecha from Thailand returned a 71 to tie for fourth alongside Rattanon Wannasrichan.
Charoenkul, whose previous best finish on the ASEAN PGA Tour came last year when he ended equal ninth in the Ancora Classic in Indonesia, was thrilled with his maiden professional victory. “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.
“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.,” added the Pattaya lad, who juggles his playing schedule with his marketing studies.
Fung remained positive despite settling for second for the fifth time this season – three times on his domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour and the Bii Maybank ADT Challenge in Jakarta. “I am getting close and I’m definitely hoping to get one in the bag before the end of the season,” said Fung.
Leading final round scores (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
285 – Pipatpong Naewsuk 72-71-72-70
286 – Somsak Kaopratum 70-71-73-72, Thanyakon Khrongpha 69-72-72-73, Thitiphun Chuayprakong 72-66-73-75
287 – Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 72-70-74-71, Donlaphatchai Niyomchon 73-71-70-73, Pariya Junhasavasdikul 76-66-71-74, Arnond Vongvanij 70-69-73-75
