1 July 2013: Watcharasit Trachuentong from Thailand claimed a narrow victory in the second Faldo Series Cambodia Championship at Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap.  The 17-year-old was one of two Thais to qualify for the Asia Grand Final in China along with winners from Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Trachuentong (Boys’ Under-21) fired rounds of 72 and 73 on the Faldo Design course in Siem Reap to finish tied on one over par with overnight-leader Aaerishna Shahsthy (Boys’ Under-16) of Malaysia.  As age-group winners, both players will join Sir Nick Faldo for the eighth Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen but it was the Thai teenager who claimed the overall trophy thanks to a stronger final round.

The girls’ division also went to a count-back with 16-year-old Andrea Au from Hong Kong edging Thailand’s Onkanok Soisuwan, 12, to the win.  However both girls also qualify for the World Amateur Golf Ranking event at Mission Hills next March.

The second Faldo Series Cambodia Championship featured a range of nationalities from Cambodian to Indonesian to five players from New Zealand.  In a bid to grow golf in the local community, the tournament also involved school-children from Siem Reap who enjoyed a free coaching clinic before watching the competitors in action. 

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 145 – Watcharasit Trachuentong (THA) 72-73; 146 – Poovadol Leeartharn (THA) 73-73.  Boys’ Under-16: 145 – Aaerishna Shahsthy (MAL) 71-74; 147 – Thanaphum Khanchitworakun (THA) 75-72.  Girls’ Under-21: 151 – Andrea Au (HKG) 75-76, Onkanok Soisuwan (THA) 75-76; 165 – Pinkaew Trachuentong (THA) 85-80.