Prayad Claims Singha Masters Chiangrai

 

CHIANGRAI TIMES – Prayad Marksaeng stormed to a seven-stroke victory at the Singha Masters following his final 65 yesterday. Prayad fired eight birdies against a bogey for 27-under-par 261 total at the par-72 Santiburi Country Club to win his fourth Singha Masters title following his success in 2001, 2004 and 2008.

Chapchai Nirat finished second on 268 after a 68 while South Korea’s Baek Seuk-Hyun (69) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (68) shared third place on 269.

“I was not under pressure so I could just play my game,” said Prayad. “With a four-shot lead after three rounds, I felt relaxed.”

He said he was disappointed that he failed to break the winning record of 29 under set by Thammanoon Srirot in 2005.

“After missing birdies at the 10th and 11th holes, I knew it was impossible to break the record,” said the Hua Hin native.

The 45-year-old is hoping to carry his fine form to this week’s Cambodia Classic.

He has been in a good run since last week when he secured his fifth ticket to the British Open in July.

“My irons are sharp,” said Prayad who received 480,000 baht in prize money.

Chapchai said he was satisfied with the second place finish as it was difficult to catch Prayad. In fact, he admitted that he was lucky to finish second after suffering a final-hole double bogey.

“It was better than I had expected,” said Chapchai who will join Prayad on the Japan Golf Tour this year.

“My putting has improved a lot.”

Poom Saksansil won the amateur title carding a 70 for 10-under 278 total.

In the women’s event, the title went to Thidapa Suwannapura who fired a final 66 to win by nine shots on 10-under 206.

Two strokes behind after three rounds, Thidapa made seven birdies against a bogey to pocket 32,000 baht.

Amateur Kamolwan Luamsri posted a 73 to finish second on 215 while overnight leader Tiranan Yoopan (79) finished tied third on 217 with Aunchisa Utama (70).

The 13th Singha Masters was the final leg of the 2011 All Thailand Golf Tour with 13 events. There will be 11 tournaments this year starting with the Singha Challenge at Mida Golf Club in Kanchanaburi this week.

FINAL ROUND SCORES

261_ Prayad Marksaeng 64-66-66-65

268 _ Chapchai Nirat 66-69-65-68

269 _ Baek Seuk-Hyun 64-70-66-69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat 66-65-70-68

270 _ Piya Sawangarunporn 68-68-65-69, Wisut Artjanawat 68-69-69-64, Namchok Tantipokakul 66-71-70-63

272 _ Prom Meesawat 70-68-65-69, Chawinroj Rungsrichai 63-70-70-69

273 _ Blair Wilson 66-70-73-64, Somkiat Srisa-nag 63-70-69-71

274 _ Rattanon Wannasrichan 69-67-67-71, Pol Kemarat 70-68-69-67