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16 year old Choengchai proves he can cut it on Tour

Thailand could well have another teenage phenomenon on its hands on the Asian Tour in the shape of Choengchai Panpumpo.

In a week when veteran Thaworn Wiratchant cemented his place in golf folklore by winning a record ninth title in a play-off against 18-year-old Chinarat Phadungsil and Scotsman Simon Yates, Choengchai, who is only 16, was also celebrating after making his first cut on Tour.

As the youngest member of the Asian Tour, the slightly built Thai couldn’t hide his unbridled joy after finishing tied 17th in the inaugural Midea China Classic. He promptly celebrated his first pay cheque of US$4,960 with a fizzy drink.

Choengchai shot a pair of 66s to feature on the leaderboard at the halfway stage and while further rounds of 70 and 72 saw him slip off the pace, much is expected from the Thai teenager in the near future.

“I am very happy with my form last week. It is the first time I made the cut and now that I’ve achieved this goal, I hope to make the cut in all the remaining events which I will be competing this year,” said Choengchai, who missed the cut in his first five events this season.

Like all young golfers, Choengchai idolises world number one Tiger Woods, who is half Thai, and dreams of competing against the world’s best players. But the boy who hails from the northern city of Chiangmai is ready to stay patient in his goal to become a top-class player.

He got hooked to the game at the age of nine by watching golf on television and was always the first to be on the first tee whenever professional tournaments are played on his home course. With Chinarat proving that age doesn’t matter by winning twice already on the Asian Tour, Choengchai is hoping to follow in his compatriot’s footsteps.

Choengchai narrowly missed out on his full Asian Tour card in Qualifying School last December after finishing just outside the top-40 but is utilising his limited playing opportunities to the fullest this year.

“I do not play any other sport and focus entirely on golf. It is really nice to be on the Asian Tour. It has always been my dream to feature on the Asian Tour because the Tour has many of the top players from Asia and I want to be part of it,” he said.

Despite his inexperience and young age, Choengchai said he feels right at home when he’s on Tour, thanks largely to the big Thai contingent on the Asian Tour.

Thailand has over the years produced great champions, with Thaworn and Thongchai Jaidee winning the UBS Order of Merit and the likes of Boonchu Ruangkit, Chawalit Plaphol and Thammanoon Srirot all contributing to a total of 38 victories on the Asian Tour, the most by a single country since 1995.

“I am the youngest on Tour but it does not affect me as I focus on my own game. I have a lot of friends who help me out. I am close to Panuwat Muenlek, Ronnachai Jamnong and Wisut Artjanawat.

“I will continue to work hard to improve, especially on the mental aspect of my game and I have heard that Panuwat’s coach is a very good mental trainer and I am working with him now.”

September 18, 2007