Runchanapong Youprayong, a promising Thai golfer, recently faced disappointment by not securing his position in the $500,000 am green IGPL Bharath Classic, despite a commendable third-place finish in the preceding Asian Development Tour (ADT) event at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort. However, fate had other plans for him, as he not only gained entry into the tournament but also seized the opportunity to ascend to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive performance.
In the morning session of the first round, Runchanapong delivered a stellar performance, shooting a remarkable seven-under-par 65. This outstanding score allowed him to surpass Australia’s Will Florimo, who finished with a 66, as well as two formidable contenders on the Asian Tour—South Africa’s Ian Snyman and New Zealand’s Nick Voke, both of whom recorded scores of 67. Another Australian, Jed Morgan, rounded out the morning session by finishing tied for third place with a flawless 67.
At just 26 years old and hailing from Bangkok, Runchanapong aimed to secure a top-two finish in the am green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars 2026 event. However, his journey took a slight detour when he played his last ten holes one-over par, allowing Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman to finish ahead of him after he made a birdie on the final hole. Starting from the first tee, Runchanapong showcased his skills by birdieing two of the first three holes, although he faced a minor setback with a bogey on the par-4 fourth. Nonetheless, he bounced back to finish six-under par over the last 11 holes.
Reflecting on his performance, Runchanapong expressed satisfaction with his strategy and execution throughout the round. "I felt like I hit in good positions quite a lot, and I planned my way around the golf course pretty well," he noted. This approach was a valuable lesson learned from the previous week, emphasizing the importance of shot placement. Among his many birdies, he highlighted a particularly memorable chip-in on the ninth hole, where he executed a challenging shot from the rough, showcasing his skill and composure under pressure.
Addressing the course conditions, Runchanapong remarked on the differences compared to the previous week, noting that the tees were shortened for the first two rounds, while the current layout was more challenging, with the wind playing a significant factor. This combination of factors made for a more demanding day on the course.
Will Florimo, who previously triumphed at the Heritage Classic on the PGA Tour of Australasia earlier this season, also had a commendable round, recording three birdies on each side of the course for a total of 66. He shared his experience of taking a week off from golf, which allowed him to return refreshed and focused. Despite his solid performance, he acknowledged a missed opportunity with only one successful putt from outside five feet.
Ian Snyman, the South African golfer, continued his impressive form, building on his recent success that included three top-10 finishes and his first Asian Tour title. He expressed satisfaction with his round, noting the similarities between the stunning Mazagan Beach course and those back home in Cape Town, highlighting the importance of adapting to the course's unique characteristics.
Nick Voke, another competitor, shared his mixed feelings after finishing the round with his only bogey on the par-5 18th hole. Despite feeling solid throughout his round, the final hole left him with a bittersweet sentiment as he continues his pursuit of his first win on the Asian Tour.
As the Asian Tour concludes its back-to-back tournaments at the picturesque Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, which is set against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic coast of Morocco, the spotlight will soon shift to Rabat for the upcoming $2 million International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco.
As reported by golfdigestme.com.
