The 16-year-old Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatma has once again captured the world media spotlight by qualifying to play in the next British Open. And he has achieved it thanks to his sensational final round in the Thailand Championship, where four places were at stake to be able to play the Grand Slam tournament.
The young Asian became famous a couple of years ago when he broke the record for earliness by winning a professional golf tournament, the Hua Hin Open (southern Thailand), at the age of 14. It was a tournament organized by the Association of Southeast Asian States (a circuit created in 2007, with 12 events spread across the association’s ten member countries).
The young golfer, who needed special permission to miss class that week, submitted a card of 67 strokes for a total of 271, 13 under par. The previous record for earliest winner belonged, since 2007, to Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who won that year a tournament on the Japanese professional circuit at the age of 15 years and 8 months. In the women’s tour, the record is held by New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, winner in 2012 of the New South Wales Open (Australia) with 14 years and 248 days.
“Now I’m overwhelmed with happiness to be able to play in next year’s British Open,” said the 16-year-old, who signed for a final-day 66, six under par, to finish ahead of Major champions Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer and earn the fourth and final spot for the world’s oldest professional golf tournament.
Phachara’s 13 under par and 275 total strokes ranked him in sixth place, one stroke behind Kaymer and five behind Watson.
It was a totally unexpected advantage for Phachara, who narrowly earned a spot to play in the World Championships in Thailand.
“I came in through Monday’s qualifying round and was very happy to have the opportunity to play with the top stars this week. I surprised even myself by finishing so well,” said Phachara.
“I played without a lot of expectations and I think that was the key to playing so well,” Phachara stated after his round.
The Thailand Golf Championship offered four spots in the British Open to the four highest-ranked players who had not already qualified for that major. With two already qualified for the Open, Phachara was able to earn his place with his sixth place finish in the Thai tournament.
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