Sports

Thailand’s Parinda Phokan Captures her First China LPGA Tour Title

Published

6 years ago

September 22, 2018

BANGKOK – Parinda Phokan captured her first China LPGA Tour title in dominant fashion on Friday when the Thai romped to a six stroke victory at the PTT Thailand LPGA Masters.

The 21-year-old Khonkaen native, who never trailed in the 4 million baht tournament, closed with a final round 69 at Panya Indra Golf Club to finish on 14-under 202. The victory at the tournament tri-sanctioned with the Thai LPGA and Australian LPG Tours was worth 600,000 baht.

“I feel really proud of myself because this year I can do it. I waited too many years to be a winner and this year I made it,” said Parinda who earned her second victory of the season after winning on the Thai domestic tour in April. “Today I just focused on shooting two- or three-under and having fun out there.”

Thai amateur Kultida Pramphun finished runner-up after the 17-year-old Bangkok native closed with a 67 for her best round of the week. Compatriot Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (69) was equal third with Korean Park Jin-hee (71) and Kiwi Munchin Keh (71) at eight strokes back.

Du Mohan (69) and Liu Yan (71) were the top Chinese in the 114-player field, finishing equal ninth, 10 strokes off the winning score.

Parinda, whose 14-under mark set new record for lowest score at the six-year-old tournament, closed with a round that featured five birdies and two bogeys, including one at the last.

“I was a little excited by that time (at the 366-yard 18^th),” she said. “I knew I was the leader by seven strokes so I wasn’t worried. Bogey is okay.”

Du, who turned professional last week in Liaoning, said she was happy to finish with consecutive rounds of 69, posting only a lone bogey over the final 36 holes.

“My next step is that I can be under-par each round and post a decent start,” said the 16-year-old Beijinger noting the dominance of the Thais who occupied six of the top eight spots on the leaderboard.

“They are more in numbers than the Chinese girls. It’s a larger talent pool from Thailand. Next year I think that a Chinese player can win this. Hopefully I am among those in contention down the stretch.”

Liu, who earned her third top-10 finish of the season, said she was happy to finish her Bangkok campaign strongly after carding a late eagle three at the 488-yard 17^th hole.

“I wasn’t feeling very comfortable at the driving range but I woke up after my tee shot went into the water at the fourth hole. I had a great eagle from a solid approach shot and then sank the seven-foot putt. At the last hole, I nearly made a 30-foot birdie putt,” said the Fujian native.

Arpichaya Yubol, the 16-year-old Thai sensation who was chasing her sixth straight TLPGA Tour win, closed with a 70 to finish equal 14^th. Compatriot Saranporn Langkulgasettrin, the current CLPGA Tour Order of Merit leader, blew up to an 80 to finish equal 47^th at 19 strokes off the pace.

Source: Al Campbell

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Panya Indra Golf Club is a 6,420-yard, par-72 layout designed by Ronald Fream.

PTT Thailand LPGA Masters third round leading scores

Players are mainland Chinese unless stated *denotes amateur

202 – Parinda Phokan (THA) 66-67-69

208 – Kultida Pramphun* (THA) 70-71-67

210 – Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (THA) 69-73-68, Park Jin-hee (KOR) 69-70-71,

Munchin Keh (NZL) 70-69-71

211 – Pitsaon Chaichompoo (THA) 70-72-69, Trichat Cheenglab (THA) 70-72-69,

Supamas Sangchan (THA) 72-69-70

212 – Jang So-young (KOR) 74-70-68, Du Mohan 73-70-69, Liu Yan 73-68-71,