Pongsapak Laophakdee, a Thai amateur national golfer, delivered an impressive performance as the only Thai player to advance to the match play round of the U.S. Amateur.
"FIFA" Pongsapak Laophakdee, a Thai amateur national golfer, impressed as the sole Thai golfer to qualify for the match play stage of the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship, before concluding his run in the round of 64.
Pongsapak completed the two-day stroke play with a total score of 2 over par, tied for 54th place, and had to compete in a playoff to secure his spot in the match play. He succeeded and advanced to the final 64 out of all competitors. In the round of 64, he faced Jack Turner, a local golfer from Orlando, Florida. The young Thai golfer started strong, taking a 1 UP lead after the first nine holes by making birdies on holes 8 and 9.
However, Turner surged back in the back nine, making consecutive birdies to retake the lead. Pongsapak tried to catch up, but the local golfer ultimately won 2&1, ending the Thai golfer’s journey in the round of 64.
Although he did not advance to the round of 32, this experience was an important milestone for Pongsapak on the world amateur golf stage and reflects the potential of Thai golfers to compete proudly at the international level.
Cr.Photo : USGA