Boonchu Ruangkit
Name:
Boonchu RuangkitCountry:
ThailandBorn:
May 12, 1956 in Bangkok, Thailand.Original/Home Club:
Royal Army GC, Bangkok.Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
1986Multiple wins on the Asian Tr, European Snr and Japan Snr Tours. European Snr Tour Order of Merit winner (2010).
Ruangkit grew up playing golf at the Royal Army Course in Bangkok, although he started his professional sporting career in kick-boxing. It didn't take too many knock-downs before he switched his attention to golf.
Among many notable achievements in his golf career, Ruangkit hit the opening drive to launch the Asian PGA circuit in 1995. He also launched the newly-formed Asian Tour in similar fashion at the 2004 Thailand Open. He went on to win this event by five shots, becoming the Asian Tour's oldest tournament winner - aged 47.
In 2010 Buangkit joined the European Senior Tour and won the second, third and fourth tournaments of the season. With another victory in October he topped the Tour's 2010 Order of Merit.
Europe
Travis Perkins
Played as the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters (Sept 2-4). Second-placed Gordon Brand Jr (Scot), Roger Chapman (Eng) and Barry Lane (Eng) finished 4 shots behind Boonchu Ruangkit (Thai), who recorded the last of his five European Senior Tour wins. [Duke's course, Woburn GC, nr Milton Keynes, Bucks].
Europe
x
Played as the Benahavis Senior Masters (Oct 15-17). Second-placed Carl Mason (Eng) and John Gould (Eng) finished 7 shots behind Ruangkit (Thai) who notched up his fourth Eurpn Snr Tr win in 2010. [La Quinta G&CC, Costa del Sol, Spain].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Ruangkit (Thai) won the Eurpn Snr Tr 2010 Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season player. He finished top of the Tour's Order of Merit, with earnings of €266,609.
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Ruangkit (Thai), in his rookie season, won the Eurpn Snr Tr 2010 Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with earnings of €266,609 on the Tour. Chris Williams (RSA) was second with €227,350; Angel Franco (Par) was third with €217,308.
Asia
Chang
Played as the inaugural (and only) Chang Thailand Senior Masters presented by ISPS (March 12-14). Second-placed Jamnian Chitprasong (Thai), Frankie Minoza (Phil) and Katsuyoshi Tomori (Jpn) finished a distant 11 shots behind Ruangkit (Thai), who won his second straight European Snr Tour title. In winning this event, Ruangkit broke some of the tour's records, including the lowest 54-hole score to par and 54-hole winning margin. [RG Salaya G&SC, Salaya, nr Bangkok; at the time known as Royal Gems GC].
Asia
Aberdeen
Played as the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum (March 5-7). Ruangkit (Thai) beat Frankie Minoza (Phil) at the second hole of a playoff to record his first European Senior Tour win. [Empire Hotel & CC, Jerudong, Brunei].
Europe
Berenberg
Played as the inaugural Berenberg Bank Masters (March 26-28). Second-placed Bobby Lincoln (RSA) and Sam Torrance (Scot) finished 3 shots behind Ruangkit (Thai), who became the first player since Tommy Horton (in 1997) to win three straight European Snr Tour events. [Links course, Fancourt, George, Western Cape, RSA].
Asia
Chevrolet
Played as the Chevrolet Championship (July 13-16; Thai Tr event). Won by Ruangkit (Thai). [B+D nines, Burapha GC, nr Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand].
Asia
x
Played as the Thailand Open (Jan 22-25; Asian Tr event). Second-placed Prayad Marksaeng (Thai) and Jong-duk Kim (S Kor) finished 2 shots behind 47-year-old Ruangkit (Thai). [Royal Thai Air Force GC, Don Muang, Bangkok]. NOTE: This was the inaugural event for the revamped Asian Tour, now run by a more player-focused organisation.
Asia
Singha
Played as the Singha Classic (July 23-26; Thai Tour event). Won by Ruangkit (Thai). [Springfield Royal CC, nr Hua Hin, Thailand].
Asia
Mercuries
Played as the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Won by Ruangkit (Thai). [Tamsui course, Taiwan G&CC, Taipei, Taiwan].
Asia
x
Played as the London Myanmar Open (April 10-13; Asian Tr event). Defending champion Ruangkit (Thai) beat John Senden (Aus) at the first playoff hole. [Ngwe Taw Thar (Silvery) course, Yangon City GC, Insein, Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma)].
Asia
Lexus
Played as the inaugural Lexus International (Asian Tr event). Ruangkit (Thai) beat Mike Cunning (USA) at the first playoff hole. [Bangpoo GC, nr Bangkok, Thailand].
Asia
x
Played as the inaugural Myanmar Open Championship (Jan 5-8; Asian Tr event). Ruangkit (Thai) beat Jeff Senior (Aus) with a par at the first playoff hole. [Yangon GC, Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma)].
Asia
x
Played as the Langkawi Open (Asian Tr event). Second-placed Jamnian Chitprasong (Thai) finished 7 shots behind Ruangkit (Thai). [Els Club Teluk Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia; at the time known as Datai Bay GC].
Awards
Johnnie Walker
Ruangkit (Thai) won the Johnnie Walker Asian Player of the Year Award.
Asia
x
Played as the Thai International Thailand Open (Asian Tr event). Remi Bouchard (Can), Richard Backwell (Aus) and Thaworn Wiratchant (Thai) finished in second place behind Ruangkit Boonchu (Thai), who became the second consecutive home winner of this event.
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