ATGT is back at Thongchai Jaidee Foundation

BY N ON July Thu, 2020 11:07

ATGT is back at Thongchai Jaidee Foundation

A five-month long wait will be over tomorrow when the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2020 tees off at the 13th Military Circle Sports Center in Lop Buri.

Hosted by Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee, the tournament serves as the third leg of the ATGT 2020 and the first one since the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the last event was the Singha E-san Open in February. Under the health measures, this tournament will be played without spectators.

The 144-player field will be competing for a total purse of 4,000,000 baht with the winner to take home 600,000 baht and projected 7 world-ranking points. The competition will be a 54-hole stroke play format with a cut to the low 60 players after 36 holes.

Leading the field are world no. 140 Gunn Charoenkul, Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Kosuke Hamamoto, Phachara Khongwatmai, Suradit Yongcharoenchai and Sadom Kaewkanjana.

Pavit is currently leading the ATGT’s order of merit thanks to his win at the season-opening Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in January. A month later, Phachara beat Kosuke in the first playoff hole to win the Singha-Esan Open.  The Thai-Japan Kosuke,21, was a runner-up at the 2019 Thongchai Jaidee Foundation, five shots behind champion Sadom.

Despite a five-month absence from a competition, Sadom still feels confident in his game and is ready to defend the title.

“I will be a bit excited to play again.  But I am still confident because I have done quite well here last year,” said the two-time ATGT winner, who made an ace in the final round here last year. 

“I spent more times working out and practicing a lot during a COVID-19 break. Physically, I am happy and ready to play now.”

Kosuke, seeking his second ATGT title since Singha Classic 2015, said that this year the course in a great shape, much better than last year. Despite the competition to be played 54 holes instead of 72 holes, there is no different game plan for him.

“I was happy with my result here last year but I want to better this year,” he said.

“The course is tough but the green is much better than last year.”

The Thongchai Jaidee Foundation is one of five tournaments remaining on the rescheduled 2020 ATGT program with the final event at the BG Bangkok Open on November 12-15. 

Reigning ATGT number one Itthipat Buranatanyarat believes that with five events to play for, he still has a chance to retain the money title.

“I know retaining the title is much tougher than winning it. But I still believe I can do.

“There are enough tournaments to play and earn money.”

Itthipat won the award with the earnings of 1,316,344 baht last year, only 54,136 baht ahead of second place Kwanchai Tannin.