Congratulations to Ratchanon Chantanuwat who finishes 3rd at Singapore International
Ratchanon Chantanuwat otherwise known as “TK”, is the 14-year-old phenom from Thailand who is shaking up the golfing world. TK finished third this week in the Singapore International, a full-field Asian Tour event, and the penultimate event in the Tour’s schedule.
After a firey start, Chantananuwat went out in 5 under on Sunday. TK was leading the event with 7 holes to play and ultimately finished 2 out of the playoff after a double bogey on 17. The winner was the new young Korean superstar, 19-year-old Kim Joohyung. The venue was one of the toughest the players will play all year, playing at 7500 yards with windy conditions and severe greens. Only three players finished under par and scores of +7 made the cut.
TK was on the brink of history as he entered the final nine, looking to become the youngest player, male or female, to win a world-ranked professional event. TK is 14 years, three months, and four days old. Unfortunately, TK was three over on the back including a double-bogey on the 17th, narrowly missing the playoff by two shots.
“I have coached TK since he was 8 years old and even at that age, he had that ‘X’ factor.”
— David Leadbetter
“People will look at those scores online, see those dropped shots, and think I played badly but I didn’t,” said Chantananuwat. “I was trying so hard and playing well.” TK birdied the last from 12 feet, securing his solo third-place finish.
Although this was his first professional event overseas, TK has already found success on the All Thailand Golf Tour. He finished second in the Singha Laguna Phuket Open and tied for third and fifth at the Singha Thailand Masters and Singha All Thailand Championship respectively.
“I have coached TK since he was 8 years old and even at that age, he had that ‘X’ factor,” says David Leadbetter. “His performances in Thailand in professional events have been amazing, to say the least, and this was TK‘s first professional event outside of Thailand. He is playing in the Singapore Open this week and then has an invite to the Saudi Open where a lot of the world’s leading players are playing. A name to keep an eye on for the future TK!”
Best of luck to TK has been invited to play in Saudi Open and will compete against some of the top players in the world.