Thai teenager becomes youngest ever to win pro golf tournament

Phachara Khongwatmai has little time to celebrate his record-breaking triumph on the ASEAN PGA Tour as the 14-year-old Thai amateur golfer needs to catch up on his homework after taking a week off from school to compete in the event. Phachara, born on May 3, 1999, stunned an experienced field that included a number of the country’s leading golfers, to win the $65,000 Singha Hua Hin Open by four shots on Sunday and etch his name in golf’s record books. [caption id=“attachment_976581” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Phachara Khongwatmai set a new world record with his win on the ASEAN PGA Tour. AFP[/caption] With the victory, Phachara replaces New Zealand sensation Lydia Ko, who won the 2012 New South Wales Open three months prior to her 15th birthday, as the youngest winner of a professional golf event. “I am really, really happy to win against so many top players,” Phachara, who had to qualify for the tournament, said in a statement from the organisers. “My putting was the key and I also worked very hard with my caddie. We planned everything carefully.” However, Phachara’s joy will be short-lived as the daily grind of school life looms large on his horizon. “Tomorrow (Monday) is a public holiday and the first thing I need to do is call my friends and catch up on homework,” he added after his four-under-par final round 67 took him to 13-under for the tournament. Fellow Thai Prom Meesawat, who finished tied for second with Sutijet Kooratanapisan, was simply stunned by the teenager’s performance. “It is amazing to see a kid play like that. I had a bogey-free round but look at what he did!” Prom said.