Thailand’s star golfer Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who won the Macao Open last year, looks to continue his winning streak as he takes on his peers at the tournament tomorrow.

 

 

                                                Pavit has carved a niche in the international Golfing circuit

 

The 28-year-old Pavit enjoyed his career best victory yet at the Macau Golf and Country Club 12 months ago, defeating Indian star Anirban Lahiri on the first play-off hole for his breakthrough win on the region’s premier Tour.

 

Pavit, also a proud graduate of the Asian Development Tour (ADT), is hoping to repeat that win for his late King at the US$500,000 full-field Asian Tour event, as his country prepares for the royal funeral which will take place next week.

 

Pavit will lead an elite cast which includes reigning Order of Merit champion Scott Hend of Australia, American David Lipsky, Thai duo Jazz Janewattananond and Poom Saksansin, who are all sitting inside top-10 of the current Order of Merit.

 

Rising stars Shubhankar Sharma and Chikkarangappa S. of India, American Johannes Veerman, Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat, all gunning for a first Asian Tour victory, are also tipped to shine in the popular event.

 

The four-day tournament is jointly organised by Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government (MSB) and the Golf Association of Macau. It is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, and promoted by IMG.

 

Did you know?

 

• Pavit won the 2016 Macao Open for his first Asian Tour title. Prior to the victory, Pavit had plied his trade on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) where he won a record total of five titles and was crowned the ADT Order of Merit champion in 2014.
• Pavit dedicated his triumph at the 2016 Macao Open to King Bhumibol Adulyadej who passed away during the opening round of the tournament last year.
• Pavit became only the second player, after Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei, to win three times in a single season on the secondary circuit.
• Pavit did not have full playing rights on the Asian Tour before his breakthrough. He entered the 2016 Macao Open through his country exemption category and after winning that week, he earned a two-year winner exemption on the region’s premier Tour.
• Pavit’s younger brother Annop and sister Suchaya are also professional golfers of Thailand.