Hangzhou, China (October 1, 2023) – Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol fired a final round 68 to erase a seven-shot deficit and win the Women’s Individual gold medal at the Asian Games on Sunday at West Lake International Golf Course.
The 21-year-old Yubol carded six birdies against two bogeys in warm conditions to secure the victory at 19-under par with a four-round total of 269 on the 7,039-yard Jack Nicklaus-designed layout.
“I felt good on the first two days of the competition because everything went well as planned,” Yubol stated. “This golf course was perfect for me. Today I just stuck to my game plan, and I am so happy that I made it through the end.”
India’s Aditi Ashok held the big lead following the third round after shooting a career-best 61, but ballooned to a 77 with four bogeys and a double bogey and had to settle for the silver with 271.
“Today I kind of threw it away,” Ashok commented. “I played five over. You see my previous three rounds and they were nothing like today.”
Korea’s Yoo Hunjo was tied for ninth entering the last round, but shot a blazing 65 to move up and take the bronze at 272. She birdied six holes on the back nine and seven on the day.
Japan’s Saki Baba, who won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in dominating fashion last year, was in fourth place at 11-under heading into the final round but went through a rough stretch where she bogeyed four holes and double bogeyed another to finish with a 77. The 18-year-old ended up tied for 11th on 282 in the 20-player field.
Thailand also claimed the women’s team gold with a tally of 542, while Korea picked up the silver at 548, and host China got the bronze on 552.
*Hong Kong China’s Kho Taichi captured the Men’s Individual gold medal with a final-round 69 and a four-day total of 261. The 22-year-old was three shots ahead entering play on Sunday and held on for a one-stroke victory.
The University of Notre Dame graduate had four birdies against one bogey to finish 27-under par in the triumph.
Kho talked about holding off the field to emerge with the win.
“I was in a similar situation in Singapore earlier this year, and it was really great to be able to draw off those experiences and get it done,” Kho stated.
Kho was mobbed by his teammates after his tap-in putt on the 18th hole.
“Those are my guys. Those are my best friends,” Kho commented. “It’s not just myself winning an individual gold. I felt like the whole group came together for me to be able to do this.”
Korea’s Im Sung-jae shot a scorching 65 to take the silver with 262, while Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-Yao pocketed the bronze with a 69 to end on 264.
Korea ran away with the men’s team gold with a total score of 788, outdistancing silver medalist Thailand (813) by some 25 strokes. Hong Kong, China (814) landed the bronze.
“I did really well today,” Im remarked. “My teammates also did not lose focus until the end, so we were able to win gold as a team.”