Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Thailand completed the golf tournament at the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in a blaze of golden glory.
In a tense men’s final at Phnom Penh’s Garden City Golf Club, the Thai team of Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat, Arsit Areephun and Jiradech Chaowarat defeated Vietnam 2-1 to claim the gold medal.
In the women’s final, it was more straightforward with Eila Galitsky and Navaporn Soontreeyapas living up to their billing as pre-tournament favourites as the Thais beat Indonesia 2-0.
In the match play contest, reigning Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific champion Galitsky saw off the challenge of Elaine Widjaja 4&3 while Navaporn overcame Holly Halim 2&1 as Thailand retained the title they won in Vietnam in 2022 when Galitsky was joined by Natthakrita Vongtavaleep.
In the men’s final, Le Khanh Hung put the seal on the most memorable week of his young golfing career with a stunning 6&5 victory against Ratchanon in the top match.
Beginning the week in 533rd place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), 14-year-old Khanh stunned his rivals by winning the individual gold medal on Wednesday. He continued his brilliant form in the team match play, proving too strong for Ratchanon, a winner on the Asian Tour last year and 27th in the WAGR.
However, with Arsit prevailing 2&1 against Uy Doan and Jiradech downing Nguyen Anh Minh 3&2, it was the Thais who emerged victorious with Vietnam settling for silver.
The last day of the gruelling six-day golf tournament also proved a success for Indonesia and Malaysia who each won a bronze medal.
In the third place play-off for men, Indonesia eased to a 3-0 success against Malaysia with comprehensive wins for Rayhan Latief (3&2 against individual silver medallist Malcolm Ting), Randy Bintang (7&6 against Anson Yeo) and Christian Susanto (4&2 against Mohammad Hariz).
In the bronze medal match for women, Malaysia edged past hosts Cambodia at the second extra hole after the contest finished tied at 1-1. Malaysia's individual bronze medallist Foong Xi Yu lost to Harmonie Yin 2&1 while Geraldine Wong won by a similar margin against Preap Brenna Lien.
