The inaugural tournament is attracting widespread attention as it is Laos’ first professional golf tournament and it is the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
Namchok first rose to
prominence on the ASEAN PGA Tour by winning the Order of Merit title in 2009,
when he triumphed twice, and he will be gunning for a third victory when the
event tees-off tomorrow at Luang Prabang Golf Club.
“It is a beautiful place and
everyone is excited to be here,” said Namchok.
“I think I can do well here but
it is a very strong field especially as Thaworn (Wiratchant) is here and a lot
of other good Thai players.”
Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat,
winner of last year’s Merit title, Thanyakon Khrongpha Thammanoon Sriroj,
Atthaphon Prathummanee, Kwanchai Tannin, and Panuphol Pittayarat are all
competing.
Adding to the strong
international mix are Jay Bayron and Gerald Rosales from the Philippines,
Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Koh Dengshan, plus Indonesians Benny Kasiadi and
George Gandranata.
Also playing is Daliya Saidara,
who is Laos’ only touring professional, as well as 15 of the nation’s top
amateurs.
At stake is the chance to
become the winner of Asia’s newest national Open which is something that
Namchok is very capable of.
The 24-year-old is one of
Thailand’s rising stars who many expect to breakthrough at the top level very
soon.
He has come narrowly close to
recording big victories after finishing joint second in the 2010 Thailand Open
on OneAsia and losing in play-off at the Black Mountain Masters the same year
on the Asian Tour.
His name in Thai means “Lucky”
and since turning professional in 2006 he has tasted victory five times.
Namchok has been paired with Saidara in the first round.
The powerfully built Namchok is
well equipped to handle Luang Prabang Golf Club’s highly rated golf course
which measures a lengthy 7,318 yards and was built by Jack Nicklaus’ design
team. The course was opened two years ago.
Few would know that golf is
even played in Laos but with a handful of golf courses and a government keen to
support its growth the game is set to take off.
To signify the importance of
the occasion a high profile three ball of Thaworn, Choo and Bayron will be the
first group out at 7am on Thursday.
Thaworn, the winner of 15
titles in the region including two on the ASEAN PGA Tour, will hit the
ceremonial opening drive.
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