They were affectionately branded the red-hot cousins from India and Amish Jaitha partnering Khusaal Thackersey proudly lived up to that praise by winning the inaugural Angkor Four-ball championship in a runaway fashion at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap on Saturday.
Neither the scorching sun nor the hard-chasing pack could slow them down as one of the top fancies for the title, Jaitha (1 HCP) and Thackersey (4 HCP) produced two flawless rounds of 67 and 66 for an impressive 133 showing up 11 under par to win by a widening nine shots the first-ever paired event, which will now become a regular feature in the Kingdom’s annual calendar.
The winning pair Khusaal Thackersey (left) and Amish Jaitha pose for a photograph.
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Saving five shots in the first round for a 67, Jaitha, who won last year’s Angkor Amateur Open on his first visit to Cambodia, was in good nick even as Thackersey was stringing along some good openings. The pair was even more aggressive in the second round closing out with a 66 that slammed the door shut on early contenders Paul Mcnally and David Branning who ended up with a two round total of 142, two under par and nine strokes behind the winners.
“We’re delighted for Amish and Khusaal, they thoroughly deserved their victory. They combined flawlessly and their experience and talent shone through,” AGR’s director of golf, David Baron told the Post yesterday. “They conducted themselves impeccably over the three-day event and are certainly a credit to the game. We look forward to welcoming them back to Angkor Golf Resort.
“We are pleased with the response to our first Pairs Championship. We had a strong field of local and international players numbering 60, which gives us a great platform to build on. It’s Important to us that the players not only experience a professionally organised event but they enjoyed their overall stay in Siem Reap,” said Baron.
The Cambodian pair of Sokhamony Tong and Pichmeta Peuo with 132 (-12) emerged as the Nett winners ahead of another local pair Heng Sang Wat and Im Reahul 133 (-11).
The prize for the best first round score, excluding the overall winners, went to Sim Sou Yong and Sothea with a net 66 while the second round honour in this category was picked up by Chris Black and Jimin Kim (67 net).
The event was supported by a host of sponsors including Tiger Beer, Coca-Cola, Hard Rock Cafe. Meanwhile, Raffles Grand D’Angkor provided top class food and beverage services.
Among attractive prizes offered in various categories was a range of luxury golf holidays provided by Raffles Grand D’Angkor, Anantara and Park Hyatt and Golf Equipment provided by Fenix Golf and Volvik.
