Thailand’s Prom Meesawat earned his maiden appearance at The Open Championship after winning the International Final Qualifying Asia.
Meesawat fired a superb second round seven under-par 65 for a two-day aggregate of 12 under par 132 to lead Japanese veteran Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and American Jason Knutzon into The Open at Royal St George’s in July.
Hiratsuka earned his second trip to the Open with the day’s best of 64 at Amata Spring Country Club while Lam secured his third appearance with a bogey-free 67.
Knutzon endured a nervous wait for the fourth and final spot after his 67 as overnight leader Kodai Ichihara had a chance to force a play-off. But the Japanese player missed his birdie chance on the 18th to finish one shot shy of qualifying.
Meesawat was delighted to earn his Major stripes. “It’s my first Major. I played very good the past two days,” said the 26 year old. “My driving and everything else was very good. I’ve been working hard with my coach and psychologist and I need to thank them.
“My friends have been encouraging me all along when my form wasn’t good. It’s a good comeback for me. It’s a good feeling. I played to my strength on this course. I knew which holes to be cautious. To qualify for the oldest Major, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Hiratsuka booked his first trip to The Open since 2004 when he finished tied 36th at Royal Troon. “I played well despite my body condition being not so good. But on the back nine, I played fantastic golf. I hit it close with my irons for some easy birdies,” he said Hiratsuka.
Lam, who shot five birdies on the card, said; “I was meant to play Pebble Beach but I’ll go over to the Open anytime. Playing in the Open has been one of the highlights of my career and I’m looking forward to it again. I drove the ball really good this week and didn’t miss a fairway in two days which was the key. I think I’ll go there to enjoy the week and try to make the cut again (as he did in 2008).
“I love playing links golf. We don’t get anything like that in this part of the world and that’s how golf was meant to be played. I had a number in my head today and it was nine under and figured that if I got to nine, I would be safe. I was just solid,” he said.
Knutzon closed with a 67 to earn his ticket. He was relieved at the end of the day after Ichihara left his 18 foot birdie chance short for a play-off.
“I’m really excited. I’ve not played much over there and I’m looking forward to this one. It’ll be fun as I’ve not played in the British Open before. I am surprised I got through as I was using this as a practice week but a few things clicked.”
Leading second round scores
132: Prom Meesawat (Tha) 67-65
134: Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Jpn) 70-64
135: Lam Chih Bing (Sin) 68-67
136: Jason Knutzon (US) 69-67
(Top four qualify for the Open Championship)
137: Kodai Ichihara (Jpn) 65-72
138: Tony Carolan (Aus) 69-69, Liang Wen-chong (Chn) 68-70, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Tha) 68-70, Gavin Flint (Aus) 68-70
139: Hiroshi Iwata (Jpn) 71-68, Zaw Moe (Myn) 70-69, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 66-73, Kim Hyung-sung (Kor) 67-72, Lee Sung (Kor) 66-73, Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha) 68-71, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 68-71, Miles Tunnicliff (Eng) 68-71, Himmat Rai (Ind) 71-68
