Pavith Tangkamolprasert Clinches Asian Tour Victory after Seven-Year Hiatus

Taipei: Pavith Tangkamolprasert emerged triumphant at the Yangde TPC at Lingguo International Golf and Country Club in Taiwan, securing his first Asian Tour title in seven years. Pavith's victory was sealed with a decisive 4-foot birdie putt on the final hole, culminating in a total score of 25 under par 263, narrowly beating defending champion Kazuki Higa of Japan by a single stroke.According to Thai News Agency, the Yangde Tournament Players Championship, hosted by the Asian Tour, featured a prize pool of US$1.2 million, equivalent to approximately 40 million baht, and took place from September 17-20. Pavith Tangkamolprasert, who maintained his lead from the outset, demonstrated outstanding performance in the final round. He began with an eagle on the first hole, followed by four birdies, and only recorded one bogey throughout the tournament at hole 13. His final 6-under-par 66 round secured him a total of 25-under-par 263, earning him US$216,000, or about 7.2 million baht, in prize money.Pavith, 37, wh o last claimed an Asian Tour championship in late 2019, shared his elation after achieving his third title and ascending to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit standings. He remarked, "Honestly, there are no words to describe my performance this week. I think this was my most consistent tournament of the year. I only had one bogey out of 72 holes, which is excellent. However, there were a lot of players who scored low, especially Kazuki, the defending champion who played in the same group as me. He kept putting pressure on me throughout the tournament. And that birdie on the last hole was the best birdie of my life."Kazuki Higa, who began the final round just one stroke behind Pavith, replicated the 6-under-par 66 score with 7 birdies and one bogey, resulting in a four-day total of 24-under-par 264. Despite his efforts, he finished in second place, receiving prize money of $132,000 USD, or approximately 4.4 million baht.Additionally, Pro Jazz-Atiwit Janewattananon, the 2019 Asian Tour number one, mad e a remarkable surge with a 7-under-par 65, comprising 7 birdies and no bogeys, concluding in a tie for 4th place with a total score of 22 under par 266. Sarit Suwannarat secured a tie for 7th place with 19 under par 269. Thailand's emerging talents, Sadom Kaewkanjana, Rathanon Wannasrichan, and Poom Saksaensilp, all tied for 8th place with a collective score of 18 under par 270 each.