Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

US$270,000 and moved to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Three shots off the pace in joint second place behind Thai Phachara Khongwatmai heading into the final round, Kim was far from upset at being drawn in the penultimate flight, away from the invasive glare of the cameras trained on the leaders. “It definitely helped to be in the second last group,” said Kim, after overhauling Phachara with a closing 63, including a remarkable spell of seven birdies in a row from the second hole enroute to an outward 29. “When you get off to a hot start and when the leaders see your name going up the leaderboard, it puts pressure on them. I was swinging it really freely. I was reading the lines well and felt like I was going to make everything,” said Kim, who added another birdie on 10 to extend his lead to two. With the finishing line in sight, there were more ups-an-downs to endure – a three-putt bogey on 14 was followed by a hole-out from a greenside bunker for birdie on 15, and a dropped shot on 16. His 11th and final birdie of the round on 17 pretty much sealed the deal. Seeking to add a second Asian Tour title to the Laguna Phuket Championship he won three months earlier, Phachara admitted he was unsettled by Kim’s Sunday birdie binge. “Sihwan played very well. He was eight-under after 10 holes, which really affected my game. I am still proud of my performance. I kept fighting until the end,” said Phachara, who turned pro in 2013 after winning the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14-year-old amateur. At Black Mountain, another Thai teenage prodigy made waves. Having made the cut on the day of his 15th birthday, schoolboy Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat fired a third-round 63 to move to 15-under-par and within five shots of the lead. “Fifteen yesterday and 15-under today. I think I’ll need at least 63 tomorrow to win,” predicted Ratchanon. In the event, he carded a 69 to gain a share of 11th place. There would be more to come from Kim, Phachara and ‘TK’ in the weeks and months ahead. As well as being an historic week for the Asian Tour at Black Mountain, it was also a poignant one. On the opening day, a one-minute silence was observed for former Asian Tour number one and Chairman Kyi Hla Han who passed away a few weeks earlier. In honour of the legendary Myanmar golfer, players wore green ribbons. Phachara Khongwatmai (FAR LEFT) came home in second. The stars align at the pre- event photo call (ABOVE). Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat (LEFT) making a familiar charge. Sihwan was eight-under after 10 holes, which really affected my game. I’m still proud of my performance. PHACHARA KHONGWATMAI 41 I N T E R N AT I O N A L S E R I E S T H A I L A N D B L AC K MOUNTAI N GO LF C LUB | MAR CH 3 - 6 | P R IZE MON E Y US$1 . 5 M I L LI ON INTERNATIONAL SERIES THAILAND