CNS Asian Tour Open Golf Championship ’18: Thailand’s Tirawat Wins First Title
KARACHI: The Asian Golf Tour UMA CNS Open Golf Championship came to a sensational conclusion at the Karachi Golf Club Course when Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand showed profuse brilliance and intelligence loaded inspirational smartness, to emerge as the title winner and win the first cash prize of US @ 54,000 out of a total allocated cash of US 300,000 with the balance being distributed among the 64 other position holders in accordance with the Asia Tour Prize Distribution Policy.
During the course of the four rounds at the admirable and commendable Karachi Golf Course, Tirawat has given a splendid and pulsating display of golfing skills that impressed even his adversaries. Driving off the tees was powerful and accurate and his approach shots to the green were classy and most of the time they landed within five to six feet of the hole. His victory came through scores of 71 in the first round, 69 in the second round, 67 in the third round and an effective 69 on the final day on Sunday and his aggregate winning score was 276, twelve under par.
“Pakistan has been beneficial for me” said Tirawat “and what makes the visit memorable is that I have won the first title ever since I gained entry to the Asian Tour”. ” Undoubtedly I was hesitant to come here and now that I have, I have started to revere the place and I am never going to forget the hospitality extended to me”. In reply to another question he said that he earned the right to play the Asian Golf Tour in 2017 via the Golf Qualifying School. He further stated that since then he has competed in six tournaments and made the cut six times. He also shared that he was hit by back injury and by training hard he has gained in strength and improved his physical condition.Regarding his victory he said that “I never thought of winning the tournament till the last putt.
UMA CNS Open Golf Championship – Winning Putt
His country mates, Jakraphan and Namchok posted a 72 and 73 on the final day respectively to finish joint second, one shot away from the champion, while Muhammed Munir of Pakistan had the honour of attaining the third position with a marvelous round of 68 in the final round, which gave him a notable aggregate of 278, ten under par.
Throughout the final round of the Asian Tour Open Golf Championship on Sunday, M. Munir was adequately charged up to give the country a good name and he almost made it to the top , minus a hiccup on the 15th hole which he bogied. Other than this, he remained a champion in command and his effort to make a breakthrough in this championship was relentless.
He hit every shot on merit and in the process had birdies on holes 1,7,10,11 and 13, and eleven regulation pars. Of course he suffered one more stroke loss on the front nine, on the ninth hole. For this illustrious show of eminent golfing in an international event, he deserves a commendation prize from the national golfing body, the Pakistan Golf Federation.
Another Pakistani Professional, Matloob Ahmed was also outstanding and with scores of 72, 70, 70 and 68 and a four days aggregate of 280,eight under par ,he put up a remarkable effort. At no stage was he cowed down by the presence of international champions and pursued victory with grit and assurance and tenacity.
The hole in one car (Fortuner) remained unclaimed.
In the Invitational Golf Event held on the final day,Brig (r) Nayyar Afzal emerged as the gross winner.
Final round results:
- 276 – Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA) 71,69,67,69
- 277 – Jakraphan Premsirigorn (Thai) 69,68,68,72
- 277 – Namchok Tantipokhakul 67,70,67,73
- 278 – M.Munir(Pakistan) 69,69,72,68
- 280 – Liu Yanwei(China) 74,69,70,67
- 280 – Matloob Ahmed(Pakistan) 72,70,70,68
The prize distribution was held at the Karachi Golf Club Lawns and the chief guest, Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, Chief of Naval Staff gave away prizes to the winners in a grand ceremony.
Brief About Main Sponsors – United Marine Agencies
UMA – United Marine Agencies established in 1998, is among Pakistan’s top shipping agents. UMA mainly acts as an agent for various ships calling at the ports of Pakistan. Presently, the company represents a few of the international shipping lines including Hyundai Merchant Marine Company Ltd, Hamburg SUD, R.C.L., Swire & Ceekay.
Brief About Asian Tour
AT- Asian Tour is the official authorization body for professional golf in Asia. The prime mission is the development of golf in the Asia region. As AT is member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, thereby, it is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This extraordinary feature makes all AT events have Official World Ranking status.
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