Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana ended a three-year title drought on the Asian Tour by winning the Kolon Korea Open at the challenging Dunes Course of La Vie Est Belle Golf Club. The club’s name means “life is beautiful,” a sentiment Sadom likely shares after a tense, back-and-forth final round against fellow Thai Poom Saksansin. Sadom finished with a determined one-under-par 70, securing victory by two strokes with a total score of seven under par, while Poom, who led after the third round, shot 73.
This triumph marks Sadom’s third Asian Tour win and his first since the 2022 Singapore Open. It also guarantees him a spot in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July, as the Korea Open is part of the Open Qualifying Series. Additionally, Sadom has risen to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, surpassing competitors Carlos Ortiz and Ollie Schniederjans.
The final round was a dramatic duel, with the lead changing multiple times. Sadom started a stroke behind Poom and briefly fell two behind after an early bogey, but recovered to take the lead several times. Key moments included birdies on holes three, seven, and twelve, and capitalizing on Poom’s dropped shots on holes 14 and 15, which gave Sadom a decisive two-shot advantage heading into the final holes. He maintained his composure to secure the win.
Sadom expressed excitement and pride in winning such a prestigious event, highlighting the honor it represents in the region. He also noted that playing alongside his compatriot Poom, a skilled short-game player, was motivating. Sadom mentioned he has recently made adjustments to his swing to improve his game.
Poom, despite finishing second, delivered an impressive performance on a course that theoretically did not favor his shorter driving distance. His strong iron play, short game, and putting kept him competitive throughout. However, after completing his round, he received the sad news of his grandmother’s passing, which put the tournament result into perspective for him.
Other notable performances included Korean Songgyu Yoo finishing third, two shots behind Poom, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho shooting the lowest round of the week with a 64 to finish in a tie for fourth alongside several others, including Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Korean amateur Minsu Kim.
Sadom’s victory not only ends his wait for another title but also continues the legacy of Thai winners at the Korea Open, following Thongchai Jaidee in 2000 and Jazz Janewattananond in 2019. His qualification for The Open is especially meaningful as he previously tied for 11th at the 2022 Open at St Andrews, the best finish by a Thai player in golf’s oldest major.
The Asian Tour now looks ahead to its next event, the International Series Morocco, scheduled for July 3-6 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.