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Rumford Wins to Cap Historic Day at the World Super 6 Perth

By Mike Randleman

Jul 20, 2015; St. Andrews, Fife, SCT; Brett Rumford tees off on the second hole during the final round of the 144th Open Championship at St. Andrews - Old Course. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2015; St. Andrews, Fife, SCT; Brett Rumford tees off on the second hole during the final round of the 144th Open Championship at St. Andrews - Old Course. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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World Super 6 Perth
Jun 17, 2016; Oakmont, PA, USA; Louis Oosthuizen hits his tee shot on the 3rd hole during the continuation of the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Tournament favorite Louis Oosthuizen settled for fifth place, a teen finishes runner-up

Brett Rumford deserves his shine this week, but so does the man, er, boy, he beat in the World Super 6 Perth finals.

Phachara Khongwatmai is a 17-year-old Thai professional. He’s been a pro since age 14 when he won the Sing Hua Hin Open on the ASEAN PGA Tour in July 2013 and has experience on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour.

Khongwatmai entered the week ranked No. 206 in the world thanks to nine straight cuts made, including a T20 finish at last week’s European Tour’s Maybank Championship.

Still, nothing could have prepared him for what was in store this week.

What he lacked in stature he made up for in composure.

He survived a sudden-death tiebreaker just to make the top 24. That’s a story in and of itself, but he wasn’t done.

Khongwatmai knocked off four straight Aussies to reach the finals, all without needing extra holes: Sam Brazel (2&1), Lucas Herbert (1UP), Matthew Millar (2&1) and my dark horse pick to win this week, Jason Scrivener (3&1).

A win would’ve made Khongwatmai (17 years, nine-plus months) the second-youngest European Tour winner behind Matteo Mannassero (17 years, six-plus months).

Elsewhere, the tournament lacked much for star power. World No. 11 Alex Noren was the hottest player entering the week, but missed the 36-hole cut by one.

World No. 25 Louis Oosthuizen was a +900 co-favorite to win along with Noren. Oosthuizen hung near the stroke play lead and earned a coveted first-round match play bye.

The South African played with fire in defeating USA’s Johannes Veerman in three shootout holes to move on to the quarterfinals. His next match went the same length; this time Adam Bland got the best of him.

All in the top eight played three matches to determine final standings and prize money allotment. Oosthuizen split his final two matches to claim fifth place.

Multi-winner Thorbjørn Olesen made the 36-hole cut but not match play.

The local galleries had to be pleased with the final 24 golfers. They included 2010 Open Championship winner Oosthuizen and 13 Aussies.

Next: Riviera is a Course for the Ages

Final Results

Top eight

  1. Brett Rumford, Australia, € 210,255
  2. Phachara Khongwatmai, Thailand, € 140,170
  3. Adam Bland, Australia, € 78,793
  4. Jason Scrivener, Australia, € 63,078
  5. Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa, € 53,490
  6. Steven Jeffress, Australia, € 44,154
  7. Matthew Millar, Australia, € 37,846
  8. Wade Ormsby, Australia, € 31,539
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