Lop buri: Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana had a magical ace to thank for helping him win his maiden victory by five shots following a two-under-par 68 in the final round of the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2019 yesterday.
The 20-year-old Thai holed out from 175 yards on hole two after sweetly striking his seven-iron for his first hole-in-one of his professional career at the 13th Military Circle Golf Course, the venue where tournament host Thongchai Jaidee grew up playing.
Thai-Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto signed for a 65 to take second place while Korea's Lee Soo-Min posted a 69 to sit in third place at the four-million-baht (approximately US$123,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event jointly sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour.
With his four-day total of 14-under 266, Sadom took home a winner's cheque of $22,372 and earned six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, in only his third event since joining the play-for-pay ranks in December last year.
Sadom, who came through Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, was delighted to find success so early in his career.
"I am very happy to win on the ADT. I was very excited to start the round today and then the hole-in-one came out of nowhere. I just wanted to hit the green and make par but that was a nice surprise," said Sadom.
The young Thai, who marked his card with one double-bogey, one bogey, three birdies and an ace, credited his ability to stay composed despite almost losing the lead towards the middle of the round.
"I was looking at the scores and Soo-Min [Lee] was only one shot behind after hole 12 when I dropped a shot and he made birdie. I told myself I needed to make more birdies and I did. After hole 13 and 14 I was more confident," added Sadom, who propelled to the top of the ADT Order of Merit courtesy of his victory.
Lee, a one-time European Tour winner, took pride in his performance this week despite struggling towards the end of his final round.
"I played well all week until hole 17 when I three-putted for double-bogey and hole 18 where I hit my tee shot into the hazard. But I am excited with the progress I have made in my game this week," said the 25-year-old.
Playing in his first ADT event on an invitation spot, Lee was impressed with the talent on the region's secondary circuit and tipped his hat off to his playing partner Sadom.
"I gave it my best today but Sadom was just too good of a player. I am happy that he won because he did play really well," added Lee.
