Sadom’s Symphony on the Sand: Thai Star Claims Korea Open and Opens Door to Portrush
Three-year wait ends as Kaewkanjana outduels compatriot Poom on the Dunes and books Open Championship return
Paju, Korea - Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana conjured victory from the wind-swept Dunes Course at La Vie Est Belle Golf Club to win the Kolon Korea Open, bringing an emotional end to a three-year title drought.
The 25-year-old, last triumphant at the 2022 Singapore Open, shot a gritty final-round 70 to finish on seven-under-par, two clear of fellow Thai Poom Saksansin after a see-saw battle that was as testing as the terrain itself. The win propels Sadom to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and secures his place at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
“I tried to concentrate more than the last three rounds, so I could do it,” said Sadom. “It is a big honour to win this event – it’s one of the biggest in the region.”
The final round ebbed and flowed between the two Thais. Sadom trailed by one at the start and by two after a nervy bogey on the opener, but Poom faltered with a double at the second. From there, it was match play in all but name. They exchanged birdies and bogeys like chess moves: Sadom edged ahead on 3 and 7, Poom struck back on 8 and 9. Only on the back nine did Sadom finally pull away, capitalising on Poom’s mistakes at 14 and 15 to create breathing room.
Meanwhile, Korea’s Songgyu Yoo carded 72 to finish solo third, while Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho posted a sizzling 64 – the week’s lowest – to vault into a tie for fourth alongside Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Korean amateur sensation Minsu Kim.
The win is a poignant one for Sadom. After winning two Asian Tour events by age 23, expectations soared. But until now, he’d only watched others lift trophies. “I have changed my swing a little bit, trying to find a way to get better. Now I think I have, and I can rely on it,” he said.
Poom, ever gracious, was hit with tragic news after his round: his grandmother had passed away. “The result is not important now,” he said softly. On the course, his performance – featuring razor-sharp irons and touch around the greens – had been extraordinary on a layout more suited to longer hitters.
Sadom now joins Thai legends Thongchai Jaidee and Jazz Janewattananond as winners of Korea’s national Open – a prize that lives up to its name at a course whose title means “life is beautiful.” For Sadom, on this Sunday in Korea, it truly was.