Nakhon Pathom: Thai hotshot Pavit Tangkamolprasert bounced back from a wrist injury to close with a three-under-par 69 and claim a record sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Betagro Championship yesterday.
The 29-year-old Pavit, who held a three-shot advantage heading into the final round thanks to a sparkling third round 62, traded six birdies against three bogeys to win by one shot with a 19-under 269 total at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
With the victory, which also marked his first on home soil, Pavit now holds the most number of wins on the ADT, which was inaugurated as a gateway to the Asian Tour in 2010. He had shared the record with Chan Shih-chang after claiming his fifth title in Taiwan in 2016.
Thailand's Thitiphun Chuayprakong, playing in his first tournament following an eight-month injury lay-off, was hot on Pavit's heels, firing five birdies against a bogey in his opening 11 holes before nailing an eagle-birdie from 14 to tie the lead.
Two bogeys in his closing three holes, however, saw Thitiphun settle for a 67 to share second place with countryman Sattaya Supupramai, who carded a solid 65, at the three-million-baht (approximately US$96,000) event.
"It feels incredible, I didn't have any expectations this week because I was just looking forward to coming back to compete and playing with my friends on home soil. I think that's why I did well because I didn't think about winning. It is just a bonus that I can set a new record on the ADT," said Pavit, the 2014 ADT Order of Merit champion.
Pavit, who injured his right wrist after hitting an errant shot at the Asian Tour's Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan last month, was forced to stay away from competitive golf prior to this week. He attempted to tee up at the Asian Tour's Maekyung Open in Korea earlier this month but withdrew from the tournament during the second round.
"I knew Thitiphun was catching up when I was on the 12th hole. That was the turning point for me as it made me determined to finish strong. I had a two-shot lead coming to the last hole so I knew I didn't have to try too hard," added Pavit.
Thitiphun, 25, admitted his disappointment for missing out on the victory. "I hit a bad tee shot on the last hole and the ball got plugged in the fairway bunker. Other than that, I played well all day and I am just happy to be competing again," said Thitiphun, a one-time Asian Tour winner in 2016.
