Published July 17, 2008 on February 17, 2019

Sadom Aces the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation

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Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana had a magical ace to thank for helping him win his maiden victory by five shots following a two-under-par 68 in the final round of the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2019.

The 20-year-old Thai holed out from 175 yards on hole two after sweetly striking his seven-iron for his first hole-in-one of his professional career at the 13th Military Circle Golf Course, the venue where tournament host Thongchai Jaidee grew up playing on.

Thai-Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto signed for a 65 to take second place while Korea’s Soomin Lee posted a 69 to sit in third place at the ฿4million (approximately US$123,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event jointly sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour.

With his four-day total of 14-under-par 266, Sadom took home a winner’s prize purse of US$22,372 and earned six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, in only his third event since joining the play-for-pay ranks in December last year.

Sadom, who came through Asian Tour Qualifying School in January after finishing in tied-13th, was delighted to find success so early on in his career.

“I am very happy to win on the ADT. I was very excited to start the round today and then the hole-in-one came out of nowhere. I just wanted to hit the green and make par but that was a nice surprise and I got really lucky,” said Sadom.

The young Thai, who marked his card with one double-bogey, one bogey, three birdies and an ace, credited his ability to stay composed despite almost losing the lead towards the middle of the round.

“I was looking at the scores and Soomin (Lee) was only one shot behind after hole 12 when I dropped a shot and he made birdie. I told myself I needed to make more birdies and I did. After hole 13 and 14 I was more confident,” added Sadom, who propelled to the top of the ADT Order of Merit courtesy of his victory.

Lee, a one-time European Tour winner, took pride in his performance this week despite struggling towards the end of his final round.

“I played well all week and was playing well until hole 17 when I three-putted for double-bogey and hole 18 where I hit my tee shot into the hazard. But I am excited with the progress I have made in my game this week,” said the 25-year-old.

Playing in his first ADT event on an invitation spot, Lee was impressed with the talent on the region’s secondary circuit and tipped his hat off to his playing partner Sadom.

“I gave it my best today but Sadom was just too good of a player. I am happy that he won because he did play really well,” added the Korean.

The Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2019 was inaugurated in 2015 with the intention of providing more playing opportunities for the region’s rising stars as well as to draw attention to Thongchai’s charitable foundation.

The leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

 

Leading final round scores:

266 – Sadom Kaewkanjana 67 67 64 68

271 – Kosuke Hamamoto 69 65 72 65

272 – Soomin Lee 66 66 71 69

273 – Pavit Tangkamolprasert 72 67 67 67