KAPUR WINS DUEL AT THE ROYAL CUP

 

ASIAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE

Pattaya, Thailand, December 31: Shiv Kapur of India emerged triumphant by one stroke at the US$500,000 Royal Cup with a closing round of four-under-par 67 to finish with a 14-under-par aggregate of 270.

 

Sunday was billed as a duel between Kapur and Thailand’s Prom Meesawat as the pair emerged from the pack after round three. At the start of the final round, Prom was two shots ahead of Kapur, who was four shots ahead of the rest of the field.

 

However, Prom lost his advantage as early as the second hole of the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club. After pulling to the left, Prom had to settle for a bogey at the par-three hole, while Kapur knocked in a birdie.

 

Prom’s further bogeys on the fifth and ninth handed Kapur the lead. Although, the 33-year-old Thai managed to shake off his nerves after the turn and it was all square again following consecutive birdies on the 11^th and 12^th.

 

Kapur did himself no favours when he bogeyed the 13^th and 14^th and in the process, handed Prom a two-shot lead again.

 

Kapur bounced back remarkably with two consecutive birdies of his own and it was back to a deadlock. With Prom bogeying the 17^th, the door was left open for Shiv to win the Royal Cup, and he did.

Although, Prom nearly forced a playoff as he narrowly missed a birdie putt at the last hole of the tournament. He finished round four with a 70.

 

Gaganjeet Bhullar of India carded a 66 to cement third place after a late charge. Thai legend Prayad Marksaeng and Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, who won on the same golf course last year, shared fourth place.

 

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Player Interviews:

 

Shiv Kapur (Ind) - Fourth Round 67 (-4), Total 270 (-14)

 

It was a see-saw battle indeed. I had to come out fighting straight out of the blocks. I made two birdies in my first three holes and that reversed Prom’s advantage. It doesn’t always go to plan, but luckily, I started well and he made a bogey on the second hole and before I knew it, I was leading the tournament.

 

On the ninth, I made a good par, which was pivotal. I had a great putt from off the green on 10^th. At that stage, I thought I was in control. I hit a poor drive on the 11^th and got away with par. He made good birdies on 11^th and 12^th and regained the lead.

 

I felt that I made a bad swing on 13^th and that carried over to the next hole. After the two bogeys, I was obviously disappointed as a two-shot lead turned into a two-shot deficit.

 

Standing on the 15^th tee, I told my caddie that we’re not going to go down without a fight. Let’s make a birdie here and see what happens or at least give myself a chance going into the last two holes.

 

The birdie there (on the 15^th) got me back into the tournament. I had a good up and down on the 17^th and Prom kind of handed me the tournament as he three putted there. At the 18^th, I thought he was a bit unluckily. Prom is a steely competitor and I’m lucky to come out on top.

 

I think the tournament has a great format. It has a lot of history and I’m glad to join the illustrious list of winners.

 

A lot of people were taking the week off. In hindsight, sometimes, good things happen. If I had made the EurAsia Cup team, I wouldn’t be here. It’s always great to win three times on Tour during the season. On top of that, it’s a special feeling to have my daughter here on the 18^th green celebrating my win.

 

If 2018 can come anywhere close, I’ll be happy. I’ll be building on my success. After three weeks of rest and relaxation, I’ll be back competing on the Asian Tour.

 

Prom Meesawat (Tha) – Fourth Round 70 (-1), Total 271 (-13)

It was a good battle with Shiv. He was playing well and I simply made more mistakes. He deserved to win.

 

It was disappointing for sure. I thought I made the putt for birdie to force a playoff at the 18th. Anyway, it was a good tournament for me. It is always good to end the year with a second-place finish.

 

For next year, I’ll continue to work hard and try to win a tournament. I’ll take two weeks off before starting on the new season.

 

FINAL TOTALS

Par 284 (4x71). Length: 6,764yd

 

270 - Shiv KAPUR (IND) 67-68-68-67.

271 - Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 68-67-66-70.

273 - Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 67-71-69-66.

275 - Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 72-67-71-65, CHAN Shih-chang (TPE) 68-75-67-65.

276 - Khalin JOSHI (IND) 70-68-71-67.

277 - Poom SAKSANSIN (THA) 68-71-68-70.

278 - Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 75-67-69-67, Danthai BOONMA (THA) 73-69-68-68, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 69-70-69-70.

279 - Thammanoon SRIROJ (THA) 73-71-68-67, Raththee SIRITHANAKUNSAK (THA) 67-71-70-71, Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 68-70-70-71.

280 - Poosit SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 69-72-69-70, Ben LEONG (MAS) 70-68-71-71.

281 - Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) 69-75-70-67, Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 71-71-69-70, LU Wei-chih (TPE) 68-69-71-73.

282 - Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 70-71-72-69, Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) 70-71-71-70, Thanpisit OMSIN (THA) 70-69-72-71.

283 - Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 69-75-71-68, Chanachok DEJPIRATANAMONGKOL (THA) 72-73-69-69, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 67-73-72-71, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 70-70-72-71, Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) 73-70-69-71, John CATLIN (USA) 69-72-70-72, Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 70-71-70-72, Pasavee LERTVILAI (THA) 70-72-69-72.

284 - Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 69-73-73-69, Wisut ARTJANAWAT (THA) 69-72-75-68, Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 71-68-77-68, Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) 72-72-70-70.

285 - Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 72-71-72-70, WANG Wei-lun (TPE) 76-69-69-71, Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 72-74-69-70, Suttijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 71-70-72-72.

286 - Piya SWANGARUNPORN (THA) 73-72-70-71, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 70-78-68-70, Thepbodin AMARANAN (THA) 73-75-71-67.

287 - Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 70-73-72-72, Chaiphat KOONMARK (THA) 71-71-72-73, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 67-74-72-74, Chirat JIRASUWAN (THA) 70-75-73-69, Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 74-76-68-69, Worrasorn SUWANPANANG (THA) 73-73-74-67, Ratchapol JANTAVARA (THA) 72-69-70-76.

289 - Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 73-72-69-75, Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA) 73-72-72-72, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 69-75-74-71, Giwhan KIM (KOR) 75-70-73-71.

290 - Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 73-70-71-76, Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 73-67-79-71.

291 - Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) 73-73-71-74, Danny CHIA (MAS) 72-71-70-78.

292 - Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 73-72-73-74.

293 - Somprad RATTANASUWAN (THA) 71-71-75-76, Chonlatit CHUENBOONNGAM (THA) 75-75-71-72, Meechok PHANTHARAK (THA) 74-70-78-71.

294 - Pijit PETCHKASEM (THA) 70-73-77-74, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 73-73-81-67.

295 - Pannakorn UTHAIPAS (THA) 72-70-74-79, Somsak KAOPRATUM (THA) 70-78-74-73, Scott HEND (AUS) 71-77-74-73, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 71-79-73-72, Naras LUANGPHETCHARAPORN (THA) 77-70-78-70.

296 - Tawit POLTHAI (THA) 75-74-71-76.

297 - Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) 75-77-72-73.

298 - Udorn DUANGDECHA (THA) 79-72-76-71.

300 - Ronnachai JAMNONG (THA) 78-76-70-76.

301 - Nattapong PUTTA (THA) 74-76-75-76.

306 - Natthapong NIYOMCHON (THA) 77-76-72-81.

307 - Jaturon DUANGPHAICHOOM (THA) 75-86-71-75.

332 - Jomyoot GEETONG (THA) 86-83-84-79.

335 - Pattalit THANOMSING (THA) 80-89-88-78.