Thanyakorn Khrongpha of Thailand scored a breakthrough Japan Tour victory at the ISPS Handa Match Play in Saitama yesterday.
Thanyakorn Khrongpha poses with his winner's trophy. PR
The 28-year-old, who has been playing on the lucrative tour since 2014, earned the maiden success thanks to his 2 & 1 win over local hopeful Shuko Imahira in the final at the Hatoyama Country Club.
"I am extremely happy with my first win here," said the Khon Kaen native, whose previous best result was a second place at the Sega Sammy Cup in 2016.
"I have waited for this one for five years and the wait is over now.
"For sure, it will give me confidence to win more titles here."
The former national player became the third Thai to win on Japan Tour after Prayad Marksaeng, who bagged six titles and another 13 titles on Japan Senior Tour, and Chawalit Plaphol (ANA Open 2004).
Rattanon Wannasrichan, 23, who lost to compatriot Thanyakorn in the semi-final, took the third place after beating Japan's Yuta Ikeda 2 up.
Thanyakorn got the winner's cheque of ¥52 million (about 15.3 million baht) to move up to the second on the money list while Rattanon earned ¥16 million (about 4.7 million baht) at the ¥230 million tournament.
Rattanon moved up to 19th on the money list and is assured of his place on the tour next year.
"I feel really good because with this result, I can keep my card on the tour next year," said Rattanon, who was only making his fourth appearance on the tour this year.
Chanthaburi-born Rattanon started his season by failing to make the cut at the Singapore Open but he put in some great results with a tie for fifth at Myanmar Open and fourth at Panasonic Open.
In another development, the Thailand team, featuring Kosuke Hamamoto, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Witchayanon Chothirungrueng, finished tied for fifth at the World Amateur Team Championship in Ireland yesterday.
It was a good result for the team at the 72-team tournament after their failure at the Asian Games in Indonesia last month.
Denmark won the Eisenhower trophy, their first after many years of trying.
