Kasitedech won the first tournament of the GPS Junior Tour 2026 at Lakeview after a three-round playoff.
The GPS Junior Tour 2026 youth golf competition kicked off with an exciting battle for the championship. Kasitedech Thanathanya clinched the Varsity Boys title after a three-round hole-by-hole playoff. Meanwhile, 16-year-old female golfer Tharaphirun Nampholpailoon captured the Varsity Girls championship. The stroke play event took place from 24-26 January 2026 at Lakeview Resort and Golf Club in Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi Province.
This year’s tournament continued to attract top youth golfers from Thailand and abroad, competing to earn world ranking points (WAGR) and qualify for the FCG Callaway World Championship in the United States.
On the final day, Monday 26 January 2026, in the Varsity Boys division, 16-year-old Kasitedech Thanathanya finished with a one-under-par 71, while 17-year-old Thamthee Nontasuwan shot two-under-par 70. Both finished the 54-hole, three-day event tied at two-over-par 218, leading to a hole-by-hole playoff. After two tied playoff rounds, Kasitedech secured the championship by making a par-saving putt while his opponent bogeyed, taking second place. Joint third place went to Arman Gowdy, Jaided Promsakha Na Sakon Nakhon, and Sarunpong Hongamotha, all finishing at six-over-par 222.
In the Varsity Girls division, 16-year-old Tharaphirun Nampholpailoon from Ratchaburi Province closed the final round with a two-over-par 74, finishing the tournament at 13-over-par 229 to claim the championship. Saowanid Charoensukrungreung and Sirikorn Somprakorn tied for second place with a total score of 15-over-par 231.
In the Junior Varsity Boys category, 12-year-old Tyler Saslow captured the championship with a total score of 18-over-par.
The next event in the GPS Junior Tour 2026 series will be held from 20-22 March 2026 at Rayong Green Valley Golf Club.