Terrific Thaworn Triumphs in Laos

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 6: Thai golf’s talisman Thaworn Wiratchant romped to an eight shot victory in the inaugural Luang Prabang Laos Open today.

A final round five-under-par 67, for a 21-under tournament total, saw him secure his third title on the ASEAN PGA Tour and add yet another trophy to a collection that is helping him write his name into history.

Filipino Jay Bayron ended in second place after shooting a 65 while Thanyakon Khrongpha from Thailand was a further four strokes back.

He carded a 71 in the season-opening event on the ASEAN PGA Tour, which boasts eight events this year.
Thaworn’s performance was a thing of beauty much like Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The 45-year-old led by six strokes after the halfway mark and started the final round eight ahead.

“It is a very special feeling to win in Laos. It is exciting to be here especially as the game of golf is new to this country,” said Thaworn.

Remarkably this was his ninth successive tournament. He made a long trip from Korea last Monday to get to Laos and heads back to Korea next week to play in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on OneAsia. He plans to take a break after that.

“You don’t feel tired when you are playing well and winning,” added the Thai star.

Thaworn continues to build an unrivalled record that now also includes 12 wins on the Asian Tour, and the 2005 Asian Tour Order of Merit title. He has also triumphed once on OneAsia.

His score was just short of the lowest four round winning total on the ASEAN PGA Tour. His countryman Kiradech Aphibarnrat holds that record as he won the 2009 Singha Pattaya Open by 11 shots with a score of 23-under.

Bayron did his best to try and catch Thaworn and at one point narrowed the gap to five shots as he birdied four out of the first five holes.

“It feels great to save my best round for last. It would have been a close tournament if Thaworn had not been playing,” joked Bayron.

The Filipino is still looking for his first victory having finished second many times on the ASEAN PGA Tour, including three in a row at the start of 2010.

The ASEAN PGA Tour heads to the Singha Pattaya Open next week. The tournament is being played at Burapha Golf Club from May 10 to 13.

Leading final round scores:

Par 72

267 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69 63 68 67

275 - Jay Bayron (PHI) 71 67 72 65

279 - Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 71 72 65 71

280 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73 66 72 69

282 - Poosit Supupramai (THA) 73 69 68 72

284 - Pravee Visalkit (THA) 70 75 72 67, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70 71 71 72

286 - Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 72 74 70 70, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 73 72 70 71, Sattaya Supuppramai (THA) 68 71 75 72, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 74 70 70 72, Philip Matsson (THA) 71 71 70 74

287 - Rufino Bayron (PHI) 66 72 75 74, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 73 72 68 74

Thaworn holds massive lead

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 5: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant continued to deliver a stiff lesson to the region’s young players after opening up an eight shot lead in the Luang Prabang Laos Open today.

The 45-year-old, who started the day with a six shot advantage, fired a third round four-under-par 68 at Luang Prabang Golf Club.


Trailing in second place is his 21-year-old countryman Thanyakon Khrongpha, who shot an impressive 65.


The inaugural US$80,000 tournament is the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour, which is a circuit aimed at nurturing the region’s up and coming players.


Thaworn has a wealth of such young players chasing him and while they will no doubt be taking notes they will also feel the tournament is virtually out of their reach.


The Thai star boasts a three-round total of 16-under-par 200.

In joint third place 10 shots behind the leader are Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai, who fired a 68, and Jay Bayron from the Philippines, in with a 72.

Thaworn has won twice before on the ASEAN PGA Tour and put himself on track for a third with a solid round. He bogeyed the second but rattled off birdies on the third, sixth, 12th, 15th and 18th.

“There are very good players here so I am surprised to be this far in front,” said Thaworn.

“It is certainly not over yet though as if someone shoots a low round tomorrow I can still be caught. I need to concentrate and shoot a good score.”

Adding to his impressive performance is the fact that this is his ninth successive tournament. He made a long trip from Korea last Monday to get to Laos and heads back to Korea next week to play in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on OneAsia. He plans to take a break after that.

Highly rated Thanyakon is one of the young Thai players many feel can follow in the footsteps of Thaworn.

He is also a two-time winner on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

For most players it is their first time playing in Laos but Thanyakon actually played here in 2009 when he was part of the Thai team that claimed the gold medal in the 2009 SEA Games.

“It will be great to play with Thaworn in the final round. He is the big star who we all want to be like. I don’t think he will make many mistakes tomorrow,” said Thanyakon.

He made seven birdies including three in the last four holes.

Malaysian Nicholas Pua had cause for an early celebration after making a hole in one on the picturesque par-three 17th that runs by the Mekong River.

He played a majestic four iron and won 20 million Laos Kip (US$2,500).

The ace helped him finish with a 71 to lie at even par for the tournament.

Leading third round scores:

Par 72

200 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69 63 68
208 - Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 71 72 65
210 - Poosit Supupramai (THA) 73 69 68, Jay Bayron (PHI) 71 67 72
211 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73 66 72
212 - Philip Matsson (THA) 71 71 70, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70 71 71, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 70 69 73
213 - Varut Chomchalam (THA) 73 72 68, Rufino Bayron (PHI) 66 72 75
214 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 74 70 70, Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA) 68 71 75
215 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 74 71 70, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 73 72 70, Choengchai Panpumpo (THA) 74 70 71

Luang Prabang Lao Open - Order of Play for Round 4
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Scores at End of Round 3

Luang Prabang Lao Open 3rd - 6th May 2012
Scores at End of Round 3
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CLASSY THAWORN STAMPS AUTHORITY ON LUANG PRABANG LAOS OPEN

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 4: Thaworn Wiratchant’s golden touch brought the inaugural Luang Prabang Laos Open to life today as the gifted Thai golfer shot a sublime second round nine-under-par 63.
In Laos’ first professional golf tournament, Thaworn showed the nation how golf is played at the highest level by opening up a six shot lead from the Bayron brothers Rufino and Jay.

Thaworn made an eagle and seven birdies at Luang Prabang Golf Club in the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

“I missed two short putts for birdie and missed a10 footer for birdie on the 18^th,” said a relaxed and confident Thaworn.

Remarkably the 45-year-old is playing his ninth tournament in a row. At the start of the week he said how tired he was but the fatigue seems to have faded as he pulled away from the field.

“I struggled with the greens yesterday but got my feel back today. Six shots is a nice cushion. I can relax a bit tonight,” added Thaworn.

He leads the tournament on 12-under-par 132. His eagle came on the par-five sixth.

Thaworn is no stranger to success on the ASEAN PGA Tour having won the Heritage Melaka Classic in
2009 and the Singha Esan Open the following year.

During a brilliant career he has won 15 regional titles and seems determined to collect more.
Rufino Bayron, who held the first round lead with a 66, shot a second round 72 while elder brother Jay came in with a 67.

“I am happy that I shot a steady 72. It is difficult to shoot a good round after a low round,” said Rufino Bayron.

The Bayron brothers are both looking for their first win on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Jay Bayron has finished runner up on numerous occasions and looks set for another good finish this weekend.

He said: “I am definitely due a win but it could be difficult with the way Thaworn is playing.”
Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin, Tanatchan Puaktes and Sattaya Sapuppramai are a stroke further behind after firing rounds Of 66, 69 and 71 respectively.

Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk and Panuphol Pittayarat from Thailand are on three under having both shot 71.

Last year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit winner Wisut Artjanawat from Thailand is one over for the tournament.

Leading second round scores:
Par 72
132 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69 63
138 - Rufino Bayron (PHI) 66 72, Jay Bayron (PHI) 71 67
139 - Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA) 68 71, Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73 66, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 70 69
141 - Guido Van Der Valk (HOL) 70 71, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70 71
142 - Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA)72 70, Koh Dengshan (SIN) 71 71, Ekalak Waisayakul (THA) 69 73, Philip Matsson (THA) 71 71, Poosit Supupramai (THA) 73 69

ถาวร นำโด่งกอล์ฟ “หลวงพระบางลาวโอเพ่น” รอบสอง

หลวงพระบาง: ถาวร วิรัตน์จันทร์ โชว์ฟอร์มร้อนแรงหวดวันเดียว 9 อันเดอร์พาร์ 63 ขึ้นนำโด่งหลังจบรองสองของการแข่งขันกอล์ฟอาเซียน พีจีเอ ทัวร์ รายการ “หลวงพระบางลาวโอเพ่น” ที่สกอร์รวม 12 อันเดอร์ ทิ้งห่างสองพี่น้อง รูฟิโน - เจย์ เบย์รอน สองโปรชาวฟิลิปปินส์ ถึง 6 สโตรค โดยการแข่งขันช่วงบ่ายต้องหยุดพักราวหนึ่งชั่วโมงเนื่องจากมีประจุไฟฟ้า

แขวงหลวงพระบางร่วมกับสมาพันธ์กีฬากอล์ฟแห่งชาติลาว และทีเอชเอ็มลาว จัดการแข่งขันกอล์ฟระดับแชมเปี้ยนชิพเป็นครั้งแรกในประวัติศาสตร์วงการกอล์ฟของประเทศในชื่อรายการ “หลวงพระบาง ลาว โอเพ่น” ชิงเงินรางวัลรวม 80,000 เหรียญสหรัฐ ณ สนามหลวงพระบาง กอล์ฟ คลับ ระหว่างวันที่ 3-6 พฤษภาคมนี้ 

การแข่งขันหลังจบรอบสองเมื่อวันที่ 4 พ.ค. ปรากฏว่า ถาวร วิรัตน์จันทร์ เจ้าของสองแชมป์อาเซียนพีจีเอทัวร์ โชว์ฟอร์มร้อนแรงหวดวันเดียว 9 อันเดอร์พาร์ 63 จากการทำ 7 เบอร์ดี้กับอีก 1 อีเกิ้ลที่หลุม 6 พาร์ 5 แซงขึ้นนำเป็นจ่าฝูงที่สกอร์รวม 12 อันเดอร์พาร์ 132 โดยมี รูฟิโน เบย์รอน ผู้นำรอบแรกชาวฟิลิปปินส์ จูงมือพี่ชาย เจย์ เบย์รอน ตามมาที่อันดับสองร่วมด้วยสกอร์รวม 6 อันเดอร์พาร์ 138 ทางด้านสามโปรไทย ธนัทชาญ เผือกเทศ, สัตยา ทรัพย์อัประมัย และขวัญชัย แท่นนิล รั้งอังดับ 4 ร่วมที่สกอร์รวมเท่ากัน 5 อันเดอร์พาร์ 139

ถาวร กล่าวหลังประเดิมสถิติให้กับสนามหลวงพระบางกอล์ฟคลับไว้ที่สกอร์ 9 อันเดอร์พาร์วันนี้ว่า “อากาศวันนี้ร้อนมาก พยายามรักษาเกมให้เสียน้อยที่สุดและไม่เครียด สนามนี้อ่านไลน์ยาก กรีนเป็นสโลปและมีลอน จังหวะดีก็ลง จังหวะไม่ดีก็พลาด วันนี้ตีดีพัตต์ได้ไม่มีพลาด แถมยังโชคดีมาก เพราะได้โชคช่วยหลายหลุม อย่างหลุม 6 ชิพอีเกิ้ลระยะ 60 หลา ยอมรับว่าฟลุ๊คจริงๆ มาหลุม 11 ตีเข้าป่าลูกก็กระเด้งถนนกลับเข้ามา ส่วนหลุม 17 น่าจะเสียสามพัตต์แต่ก็ทำสองพัตต์ลง สำหรับอีก 2 วันที่เหลือก็ยังไม่อยากตั้งเป้ามาก แต่จะตั้งใจเล่นให้เต็มที่ให้สมกับการได้รับเชิญให้มาแข่งขันรายการแรกของประเทศลาวครับ” 

ผลการแข่งขันและข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมสามารถเข้าไปที่เว็บไซต์ www.aseanpgatour.com หรือ www.golflaoopen.com

               

ผลการแข่งขันรอบสาม (4 พ.ค.55)

132         ถาวร วิรัตน์จันทร์ 69-63

138         รูฟิโน เบย์รอน (ฟิลิปินส์) 66-72, เจย์ เบย์รอน (ฟิลิปินส์) 71-67

139         สัตยา ทรัพย์อัประมัย 68-71, ขวัญชัย แท่นนิล 73-66, ธนัทชาญ เผือกเทศ 70-69

141         ภาณุพล พิทยารัฐ 70-71, กุยโด แวน เดอ วอล์ก (เนเธอร์แลนด์) 70-71

Rufino claims first round honours

Luang Prabang, Laos, May 3: Rufino Bayron stepped out of the shadows of his elder brother Jay and took the first round lead in the inaugural US$80,000 Luang Prabang Laos Open today with an impressive six-under-par 66.

Bayron is looking for his first win as a professional and showed he has the potential by a posting a bogey-free round at Luang Prabang Golf Club.

He leads by two shots from Thailand’s Pornlapat Wongchindawest and Sattaya Sapuppramai in the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

A stroke further behind is the imposing figure of Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, who has won 15 tournaments in the region including two ASEAN PGA titles.

Malaysian Nicholas Pua and Thailand’s Ekalak Waisayakul finished tied with Thaworn. 

Bayron has yet to make an impact in the professional game since making the switch in 2009. Like his brother he was a star of the amateur game in the Philippines.

In contrast, Jay Bayron, who opened with a 71, has been a constant presence on the leader boards on the ASEAN PGA Tour over the past few seasons.  

 “There are a lot of good players around so it is hard to get good results,” said Rufino Bayron.

The 30-year-old made birdies on holes three, four, six and seven and moved further ahead with birdies on 12 and 16.

“I played poorly from the tee but my approach shots and putting were really good. Maybe I got a bit lucky,” added the professional from Davao, who once won a professional event as an amateur.

Pornlapat was also bogey-free for one of his best rounds since turning professional last year.

He said: “I am not a big hitter but I kept it straight off the tee. It’s not a bad start.”

The 23-year-old spent seven years studying in the United States before returning two years ago. He is cutting his professional teeth on the ASEAN PGA Tour and the domestic circuit in Thailand.

Thaworn performed to his usual high level despite a grueling schedule.

This week marks his ninth successive tournament. He also plans to play in next week’s GS Caltex Maeykung Open in Korea on OneAsia before taking a break.

“I am tired but it helps being in such a great place. I feel like I am on vacation especially as a lot of Thai players are here,” said Thaworn.

“The greens were very hard to read as there was a lot of break on my putts near the hole”.

His compatriots Pravee Visalkit, Panuphol Pittayarat and Tanatchan Puaktes came in with 70 along with Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk. 

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, winner of last year’s Order of Merit title, returned a 74.

Leading first round scores:

Par 72

66 - Rufino Bayron (PHI)
68 - Pornlapat Wongchindawest (THA), Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA), Ekalak Waisayakul (THA)
69 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Nicholas Pua (MAS)
70 - Pravee Visalkit (THA), Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Tanatchan Puaktes (THA), Guido Van Der Valk (HOL)
71 - Jay Bayron (PHI), Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA), Somsak Khaoprathum (THA), Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA), Koh Dengshan (SIN), Dante Becierra (PHI)