Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond says the disappointment of not being able to finish among the medals was outweighed by simply having the chance to compete in his first Olympics
The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion ‒ one of seven Asian Tour players competing in Tokyo 2020 ‒ carded a final round three-under-par 68 today at Kasumigaseki Country Club to tie for 27th.
The 26 year old finished nine under for the tournament ‒ which, during an exhilarating final day, saw American Xander Schauffele take gold, Rory Sabbatini from Slovakia win silver, and Chinese-Taipei’s CT Pan prevail in an epic seven-man sudden-death play-off to claim bronze.
“I am literally just happy to be here,” said Jazz, who started brilliantly with an opening round 64 to sit second but was unable to maintain that form and followed up with a 71 and 72.
“The result over the last three days was not the result I was looking for, but I am happy to be here, and I will take away the good things.
“It was weird, in a normal tournament you grind out a result, but this week was a different grind. But I didn’t get super angry. I actually enjoyed it when I realised I didn’t have a chance [to win a medal].”
He needed to go low today to have an opportunity of winning a medal ‒ like Sabbatini did in shooting an Olympic record 61 to storm through to second. Birdies on five and six suggested he was making a move, but he dropped a shot on nine, and played the back half in two under.
Added Jazz: “The first round was great for sure, seven under par, hitting those great shots. Staying in the village was an experience but just playing for the country was the best feeling I will take away.”
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent had the distinction of finishing as the leading Asian Tour player after closing with a 67 to tie for 16th, on 11 under.
India’s Anirban Lahiri fired a 72 to share 42nd place and improve on his 57th position in Rio in 2016; while Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand left his best for last, carding a 67 to tie for 45th.
