Pavit Wins Yeangder TPC While Celebrating 20 Years With His Wife

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Pavit Tangkamolprasert won the Yeangder TPC on Sunday, Sept. 20, during a milestone week. He and his wife, Chorphaka Jaengjit, are celebrating 20 years together. The Thai star ended a seven-year Asian Tour drought with a four-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

Pavit closed with a six-under 66 at Linkou International Golf & Country Club in Chinese Taipei. His four-round total of 25-under gave him a one-shot win over defending champion Kazuki Higa of Japan. That made it a wire-to-wire victory.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert celebrates his milestone Yeangder TPC victory with his wife, Chorphaka Jaengjit. [Asian Tour photo]

Pavit Outlasts Kazuki Higa in Wild Finish

Pavit led by three with six holes to play. He had not made a bogey all week and was chasing an Asian Tour first: 72 holes without dropping a shot.

That bid ended with a bogey on the 13th, and a birdie by Higa cut Pavit’s lead to one. Higa birdied the next hole to pull even with four to play.

Pavit missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th, leaving the two level on the par-5 18th. Pavit reached the front of the green in two. Higa hit his second shot into a greenside bunker.

Higa splashed out to 20 feet, and Pavit chipped up to four feet. Higa’s putt came close but slipped past the hole. Pavit then holed his four-footer for the win.

Anniversary Win Ends Asian Tour Drought

It was Pavit’s first Asian Tour win since the 2019 Sabah Masters, which he won in a playoff. The victory moved him to No. 1 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Pavit was relieved and emotional afterward. “You know, words can’t describe this week’s game,” said the 37-year-old. He called his closing birdie the “best birdie of my life.”

Chorphaka, a professional on the Thai LPGA Tour, was on hand as the couple marked their 20th anniversary of being together. Asked about dinner plans, Pavit said he would leave the choice to his Thai friends.

Chien-yao Hung of Chinese Taipei took third alone after a birdie on the last for a 65. Wei-hsuan Wang and Jazz Janewattananond tied for fourth after rounds of 62 and 65.

Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines started the day within range but shot a 72. The Asian Tour stays in Chinese Taipei for next week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters at Taiwan Golf & Country Club.