Ratchanon Chantananuwat is excited by the opportunity to learn from stars of the DP World Tour and develop his game when the Thai teenager tees it up at the inaugural Singapore Classic.
The 15-year-old amateur is making his debut DP World Tour appearance this week at Laguna National Golf Resort Club as he looks to build on a history-making 2022.
Chantananuwat, better known as 'TK', became the youngest male player to win an OWGR sanctioned event with victory at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup in his homeland.
He now returns to Singapore, where he played in his first overseas professional event last year, relishing fulfilling a childhood goal.
“Playing on the DP World Tour has always been a dream that has seemed so far away growing up and now it is a reality, so it is really cool,” he said.
“I am super excited and blessed because I have played a couple of big events now.
“Having played with these big players it has actually affected me a lot and I have learned so much, so I am really excited to get that opportunity again.”
Chantananuwat ended 2022 16th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and, as part of a strong crop of rising Asian stars, is aware there will be great interest in how he performs.
“I know that a lot of the Singaporeans know me so there are probably going to be some expectations but, as for myself, I am just going to try to keep my head down, do my best and enjoy the week,” he said.
Chantananuwat admits he has followed the rise of South Korean Tom Kim with interest and is eager to keep working hard in a bid to emulate the two-time PGA TOUR winner, who he beat to win the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup last year.
“He is not just a person that I look up to, I have learned a lot from him and the fact that he is winning on the PGA TOUR gives me hope,” he said.
“Not to brag but when I won, he was second. He has shown me that practice is how he has got there.
“That is what my Dad has always said.
“He is always the last one hitting putts and practising on the range.”
Chantananuwat will play alongside German pair of Alexander Knappe and Marcel Siem, who is celebrating his 500th Tour appearance this week, in the opening two rounds.
Aside from the first tee nerves, he is expecting a tough challenge on the Classic Course at Laguna National having played a practice round last month.
“I think it is really tough,” he said.
“I played here 12 days ago and didn’t think much of it but now that it is actually in tournament conditions it seems to be a lot tighter, a lot harder and it is getting windier as well so I am really excited.”
