Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant was declared the winner of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship after it was reduced to 54 holes because of Typhoon Fanapi, which lashed the nation yesterday.
With the storm packing winds of up to 162kph, the final round at the Linkou International Golf Club in Taipei was unplayable and officials shortened the inaugural event to three rounds.
“The threat of Typhoon Fanapi today [Sunday] was a very serious one and it would be very dangerous if we allowed play to continue. We had no choice but to cancel the final round and reduce the tournament to 54 holes,” said Wanchai Meechai, the Asian Tour’s tournament director for the Yeangder tournament.
PHOTO: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
The Yeangder is the second event on the Asian Tour schedule to be reduced to 54 holes after the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea this season.
Thaworn now holds the joint record of 12 Asian Tour victories alongside compatriot and reigning Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee after winning the US$300,000 event.
The 43-year-old posted a two-under 70 to take the third-round lead and win his 12th Asian Tour title with a three-day total of 10-under 206.
“I’m happy to have won my 12th Asian Tour title this week. It does not really matter whether I won it after 54 or 72 holes. As long as I did it, I’m happy,” Thaworn said. “Now that I’ve won my 12th title, I’m looking forward to extending my winning record on the Asian Tour.”
Compatriot Chinnarat Phadungsil carded rounds of 70, 70 and 67 to take second place on 207, while Malaysia’s Iain Steel took third place. Australia’s David Gleeson and Ben Fox of the US shared fourth place.
Taiwan’s best-placed finisher was Tsai Chi-huang, who finished on 211, five shots behind Thaworn.
Additional reporting by Staff Writer
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