Batangas, Philippines; June 11: Thailand’s Thanyakon Khrongpha (pic) reinforced his reputation as a player expected to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriots Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant after storming to victory in the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Championship today.

The 21-year-old from Konkan secured his second victory on the ASEAN PGA Tour after closing with a five-under-par 67 for a three shot victory over local favourite Juvic Pagunsan at the Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club.

Pagunsan, the reigning ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit champion who also finished second here last year, shot a 69. Filipino Antonio Lascuna, joint third round leader with Thanyakon on 10 under, carded a 71 to finish outright third.

The suspension of play on the first day meant a backlog which saw players complete their third round this morning. Thanyakon had just the 18th to play which he birdied.

He then accelerated away from the field with a stunning front nine of five-under-par 31 with three birdies and an eagle on the par five ninth. Thanyakon, winner of last year’s Kariza Indonesia Championship, finished with a four-round aggregate of 15-under-par 273.

“I feel great. I played really well and confidently. After the front nine I felt I was able to cruise. I did not know what was happening on the leaderboard and did not care. I just kept on going and playing my own game. It’s an important win and gives me a chance to win this year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit title and win a place in the Barclays Singapore Open,” said Thanyakon, who won US$8,126.

The Thai golfer turned professional at the beginning of last year after a stellar season on the amateur circuit winning the Malaysian and Thailand Amateur Championships.

Pagunsan, who claimed the ICTSI Eastridge Classic last week on the Philippine Golf Tour said: “I had a tough day and drove the ball poorly. I also had three three putts. When I saw Thanyakon’s score I knew he would be too difficult to catch. I’ll come back next year and try and make it third time lucky.”

Lascuna, aged 40, continued his remarkable record of consistency on the ASEAN PGA Tour. Although he is still looking for a victory he has now finished runner up on the circuit twice and claimed a total on nine top-five finishes since the inaugural year of 2007. “I hit the ball very average today and when I saw Thanyakon leading I thought I would just relax and enjoy playing the back nine,” said Lascuna.

Miguel Tabuena, the 16 year old star in the making, finished in sole possession of fourth place. The Filipino came in with a 71 and ended six strokes behind the winner.

The next event on the ASEAN PGA Tour is the Singha Esan Open at Singha Park Golf Club from June 29 to July 2 – www.aseanpgatour.com

Final round scores (Filipino unless stated)

273 – Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 70-70-66-67
276 – Juvic Pagunsan 68-71-68-69
277 – Antonio Lascuna 70-66-70-71
279 – Miguel Tabuena 68-71-68-72
280 – Rufino Bayron 76-69-67-68
281 – Jay Bayron 76-69-66-70
282 – Elmer Salvador 75-69-69-69, Jerson Balasabas 70-70-72-70
283 – Jhonnel Ababa 73-67-69-74, Mars Pucay 70-69-72-72
284 – Ebarra Quiachon 74-70-69-71, Arnold Villacencio 72-69-70-73
285 – Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 69-71-73-72