Thailand Run Away With A 12-Shot Victory At The Nomura Cup 2017

Kuala Lumpur, November 12, 2017 – After losing to Singapore for the Team Gold in the recent SEA Games 2017, Thailand entered the Nomura Cup 2017 with only one goal in mind, to win the Championship. They dominated the Championship from day one, playing consistently to maintain their clubhouse lead. Thailand made history today to win the Championship for the first time. Thai quartet of Kammalas Namuangruk, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, Kosuke Hamamoto and Sadom Kaewkanja got the job done by striking birdies after birdies to contribute to the team’s overall score.

“We finally won,” said Kanes Nitiwanakul, team manager of Thailand. “It definitely is one of the best feelings we’ve had after losing to Singapore in the last SEA Games-probably the best feeling.”

“Our players deserved all the credits for winning the Nomura Cup title. They did not crack under the pressure. I am really proud of them. They handled the pressure well,” added Nitiwanakul.

The weather has been particularly kind to the Championship in spite of the rainy season. The players took advantage of the good weather condition to score really well at this Jack Nicklaus course at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club.

Afif Fathi continued to lead the Malaysian Team to a 12th place finish after carding a total of 14-under-par four-day tournament total (68, 71, 64, 71). Afif Fathi finished tied for 5th in the Individual Race. Malaysia’s performance in this 28th edition was 2 rungs lower than their last outing in 2015 Abu Dhabi Nomura Cup. Afif Razif’s eagle at hole 12 also helped the Malaysian Team to clinch 12th place finish. He carded 1-over-par-289 (70, 75, 72, 72) to tie at 40th place. Both Rhaasrikanesh and Chan Tuck Soon finished the tournament with 7-over-par-295 and 8-over-par-296 respectively.

“I am happy with my overall performance at this Championship,” said Afif Fathi. “The course layout and the green speed suited my game very well. It is hard to fathom that I finished tied for fifth in my debut outing.”

Malaysia’s accummulated four-day score of 9-under-par-855 (211, 216, 210, 218) placed them at 12th place.

“I am quite pleased with the overall performance of the Malaysian Team, but they can do better,” said Malaysian Team Manager, Teoh Piek Kee.”Our team members are a mixture of experienced and rookie players and suprisingly, our rookie player, Afif Fathi surpassed all expectations.”

Conducted by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), the Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Nomura Cup is a 72-hole stroke play event being played on the par-72, 6,991-yard Jack Nicklaus Course at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club. The 92-player field featured top male amateurs from Australia, Bahrain, Chinese –Taipei, China, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Kyrgysztan and the host, Malaysia who are members of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.

Considered as one of the most prestigious amateur golf team championships in the region, the Nomura Cup is often regarded as the final benchmark for top amateur players contemplating their next move in the game. Often, it serves as the ultimate checkpoint for these players before setting on their journey in the paid ranks.

Kammalas Namuangruk of Thailand won the Individual Race with 18-under-par-270 (64, 72, 64, 70).

The Championship concluded with a grand farewell dinner at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.

Top 3 Results

Team

Thailand – 204, 199, 201, 204 – 808 (-56)
Japan – 209, 204, 202 , 205 – 820 (-44)
Australia – 211, 202, 209, 203 – 825 (-39)
Individual

Kammalas Namuangruk (Thailand): 64, 72, 64, 70 – 270 (-18)
Kazuya Osawa (Japan): 68, 66, 68, 69 – 271 (-17)
Sadom Keakwanja (Thailand): 69, 66, 70, 67 – 272 (-16)