From World Sport Group

Singapore, November 8: Ekalak Waisayakul, one of a big band of Thai youngsters recently turned professional, grabbed a dream spot in the elite field for the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open on Saturday.

The 20-year-old, who only joined the pro ranks five months ago after a promising amateur career, shot a six-under-par 66 over the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club to finish joint second in the 18-hole qualifying round.

Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin, who led the way with a 65, and the Thailand duo of Pornpong Phatlum (66) and Siraphop Srisakorn (67) also qualified.

Five players who finished with matching 68s will have to come back tomorrow morning at 7.30 am to playoff for the last remaining spot.

Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who qualified last year, countryman Anusorn Songserm, Filipino amateur Ferdinand Aunzo, Thai-based Korean Baek Seuk-hyun and Kevin Chen of the Unites States could not be separated after three play-off holes, one of them played under lights on the 18th.

Australia’s Andrew Welsford, who is a teaching pro at Singapore Island Country Club, and Stephane Pelletier of France fell at the first and third play-off hole respectively.

Five more places in the Barclays Singapore Open from November 13-16 are up for grabs at the second 18-hole qualifier on Sunday.

The qualifiers join an elite line up including Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, the winner of both the British Open and PGA Championship this year, world number two Phil Mickelson, South Africa’s ‘Big Easy’ Ernie Els and two-time Barclays Singapore Open champion Adam Scott of Australia.

Ekalak, who was a member of an amateur team put together by the legendary Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit, had a bogey free round to claim his spot.

“I feel really, really happy,” who plays out of the Army Golf Club in Bangkok where Boonchu and Thaworn Wirtatchant learnt the game. “I will be sharing a locker room with golf superstars.”

The 31-year-old Chan, who finished 11th in last month’s Macau Open, had eight birdies and just one bogey to top the leaderboard.

“My driving was so so but my putting was very good,” said the five-time winner on the local Chinese Taipei Tour. “That is the best round I have played for a long time. It is so exciting to make it through to play with a lot of top golfers.”