Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai is looking forward to the chance to defend his Singha Hua Hin Open title when he tees off tomorrow at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club.
Phachara became the youngest player to win a professional golf event when he won in Hua Hin as an amateur, aged 14 years, two months and 18 days. Three months later, he decided to turn pro and immediately showed his skills by claiming his maiden professional title at the Thai PGA Classic.
“He is on the learning curve and still needs time to improve,” his father, Berksak, said. “It is not going as planned but his performance was satisfying.
“We are well aware that a professional career is really tough. He started as professional quite well but has lately dropped in form.”
Phachara has, however, improved his driving distance, Berksak added, although his tactics can sometimes let him down.
Phachara, meanwhile, admits he has a different feeling returning to the par-72 golf course, even though it has not changed much. Before considering his chance of retaining his title, Phachara has set his sights on qualifying for the weekend action.
“My first target is to make the cut,” he said. “It is raining a lot but the green still looks fast.”
Phachara fired a final 67 to win by four shots on 13-under-par 271 last year. It will be a tough task for him to repeat that success this year as he will be competing against the likes of Prayad Marksaeng, Thaworn Wiratchant, Chapchai Nirat, Chawalit Plaphol and last year’s runner-up, Prom Meesawat.
In the women’s tournament, only 54 holes will be played.
The 2.2-million-baht tournament is also sanctioned by the Asean PGA Tour, as the fifth leg of the Singha All Thailand tour.