Settee holds his nerve to win Boonchu Ruangkit Championship

BY N ON January Sun, 2022 17:44

Settee holds his nerve to win Boonchu Ruangkit Championship

Settee Prakongvech held off Nirun Sae-Eung’s challenges to his 3rd ATGT victory, winning the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship 2022 by one shot.

Settee, who carried a two-shot advantage after three rounds, closed with a 68 at par- 71 Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club in Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday. The 27-year-old from Chon Buri, who made four birdies against alone bogey, finished on 20-under 264 total, one shot ahead of runner-up Nirun (67).

“Finally, my work hard paid off handsomely. I worked really hard during off season,” said the golfer, finished third on the Order of Merit on All Thailand Golf Tour last year.

“My driver has been improved in recent weeks and that is the key this week.”

He got the winner’s cheque of 600,000 baht and earned five world ranking points while Nirun got 380,000 baht at the ATGT’s opening-opener. Settee’s previous ATGT wins came at the Singha All Thailand Memorial 2019 and Singha All Thailand Championship 2021.

Nirun and Kamalas Namuangruk entered the final round, trailing leader Settee by two shots. While Nirun put pressure on Settee for the whole day firing a final 67, Kamalas struggled a bit with bogeys at 13th, 14th and 15th before making birdies at 16th and 18th.

Kamalas, who was third at 18-under at the 4-million baht tournament, hosted by Thai golf legend Boonchu Ruangkit, took home 220,000 baht.

Sangchai Kaewcharoen recorded a round of 64 and finished tied 4th on 16-under with Nitithorn Thippong (66). They each got 146,000 baht.  Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (69) and Ekpharit Wu (68) were joint 6th on 15-under, receiving 101,00 baht each.  One shot down further were Jakraphan Premsirigorn (70) and Sarun Sirithon (70),who shared 8th.

Kritchayaphol Sinchai made six birdies for a 5-under 66. He was on 13-under for the tournament and shared 10th with Prayad Marksaeng (71), Ratchapol Jantavara (70) and Kwanchai Tannin (66). They each earned 68,400 baht.

Sarit Suwannarut, who made a final 67, was a stroke behind at tied 14th with Nopparat Panichphol (70).  Natthaphong Ratchatorn, who was in his professional debut, finished on 10-under par for the tournament. Joining him at 16th were three other players including Pipatpong Sirithanakunsak (66), who won the inaugural event in 2015.

Denwit David Boriboonsub, who was last year’s Rookie of the Year, was 20th at 11-under after carding a 7-under 64.

The second leg of the ATGT 2022  is the Singha E-San Open to be held at Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club, Khon Kaen on February 10-13.