Kota Kinabalu [SABAH]: Thailand’s Sattaya Supupramai completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Sabah Championship for his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Sattaya sealed the deal with a closing three-under 69 for a winning total of 14-under-par 274 in the RM250,000 (approximately US$80,000) ADT event.
Irishman Niall Turner finished three shots adrift in second after shooting a 69 of his won while Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand finished third following a 71. Arie Irawan was the best placed Malaysian in fourth after posting a 73 for a 282 overall at the Sabah Golf and Country Club.
Sattaya won his first ADT title in August last year and has been knocking on the door for a second win on several occasions only to fall short because of pressure. It was not the case this time as he kept his emotions in check and stayed focus until the trophy was safely in his hands.
“I was under pressure but I told myself to stay focus on the shot which I’m about to hit. I didn’t think about the last or next shot. I’m proud of myself. There were a lot of times when I couldn’t overcome the pressure but I did it today,” said a delighted Sattaya, who made amends for a play-off defeat to Danny Chia at the Northport Glenmarie Championship earlier this year.
“I didn’t think about the win until I finished the last hole. It was such a nice feeling when my brother and the Thai players waited to congratulate me on the 18th green,” said the Thai, who won US$13,825 and earned six Official World Golf Ranking points.
Sattaya made four birdies in his opening six holes but slipped back with a bogey on nine and a double bogey on 10. The dropped shots were swiftly erased as he crossed the finishing line with birdies on 14th and 18th.
“I played like it was the first round. Nobody has any pressure on the first day. Every superstar knows how to handle the pressure and I feel that I’m beginning to learn how to do it. I’m definitely a better player because of the experience I earned on the ADT,” explained , who moved to fourth place on the ADT Order of Merit.
Leading final standings (Malaysian unless stated):
274 – Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 67-71-67-69
277 – Niall Turner (IRE) 71-70-67-69-11
281 – Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 69-69-72-71
282 – Arie Irawan 69-69-71-73
283 – Rory Hie (INA) 69-74-71-69, Blair Wilson (AUS) 70-70-73-70
284 – Jack Munro (AUS) 77-69-70-68, Nils Floren (SWE) 68-71-74-71, Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 73-72-68-71
285 – Shaifubari Muda 74-65-73-73
286 – Lam Yu Shuen 74-68-75-69, Sukree Othman 74-70-73-69, Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 72-70-72-72
287 – Khor Kheng Hwai 73-72-72-70
288 – R. Nachimuthu 73-70-77-68
