DIMINUTIVE Thai golfer Patcharachuta Kongkapan showed she has a big future by cruising to a three-shot victory in the US$200,000 Enjoy Jakarta Ladies Indonesia Open yesterday.
And Malaysian amateur Kelly Tan also caused a ripple when she finished third with a three-round total of two-over 214.
Kelly had rounds of 71-69-74. Her amateur mate Michelle Koh was also a proud finisher, alone at No 4, with an even 216 after rounds of 75-68-73.
Kelly led by one stroke at the start of the third and final rounds from Patcharachuta and veteran Indian Smriti Mehra.
As for the champion, an imperious four-under-par 68 saw her dominate the final round at Palm Hill Golf Club with no one able to get close.
Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-ling claimed second place after shooting a 68.
“My concentration was very good and I was able to stay calm. I have been playing well recently and it keeps getting better. I am so happy to win,” said Patcharachuta, who received a cheque for US$30,000.
Her previous best finish was fourth place in this year’s Ladies Thailand Open.
It is Patcharachuta’s first victory on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and the third win of the season by a Thai player.
Leading final round scores:
209 Patcharachuta Kongkapan (Thai) 71-70-68.
212 Hsieh Yu-ling (Tai) 71-73-68.
214 Kelly Tan (Mas) (a) 71-69-74.
215 Kusuma Meechai (Thai) 73-73-69, Connie Chen (SA) 74-69-72, Dottie Ardina (Phil) (a) 72-72-71.
216 Michelle Koh (Mas) (a) 75-68-73.
217 Walailak Satarak (US) 71-74-72, Numa Gulyanamitta (Thai) 74-71-72, Smriti Mehra (Ind) 69-72-76.
219 Thidapa Suwannapura (Thai) 71-78-70, Rebecca Hud son (Eng) 76-73-70, Jaruporn Palakawong (Thai) 72-75-72.
220 Stacey Keating (Aus) 76-75-69, Neha Tripathi (Aus) 75-73-72, Sahra Hassan (Wal) 73-74-73, Tiffany Tavee (US) 75-72-73, Anil Johani (Mas) 75-72-73, Titiya Plucksataporn (Thai) 74-71-75.
