Thailand’s Amarin Kraivixien captured his first Asian Development Tour title after defeating Italy’s Michele Ortolani in a dramatic two-hole playoff at the SINGHA-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship 2026 on Sunday.

Amarin birdied the 18th hole in regulation to post an eight-under-par total and force extra holes with Ortolani, who had earlier set the clubhouse target after a closing three-under-par 69.

The THB3 million event was played at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Thailand’s oldest golf course celebrating its 100th anniversary, and was co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and Thailand PGA Tour.

The overnight leaders, Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati and Chinese Taipei’s Su Ching-hung, were unable to convert their advantage after rounds of 77 and 76 respectively, while several players in the leading groups also slipped back on a tense final day.

That opened the door for those chasing from behind, with Amarin and Ortolani both carding 69s to climb into contention. Also shooting 69 were American Joo-young Lee, Thailand’s Newport Laparojkit and Prayad Marksaeng, and Australia’s Peter Wilson.

In the playoff, both players made par at the first extra hole after narrowly missing birdie chances. At the second visit to the 18th, Amarin again found trouble right off the tee but received a fortunate opening to attack the green, leaving himself around eight feet.

Ortolani drove into the fairway but flew his approach over the green. After his third shot came up short of the hole, Amarin seized the moment by holing the birdie putt for victory.

An emotional Kraivixien said the win had come as a surprise after a modest start to the week.

“Excited, nervous, relieved — all sorts of things. A bit blank to be honest at the moment,” he said.

“I didn’t see this coming today at all. After two rounds I was just trying to make the cut because I’m not playing well.

“But after what happened two weeks ago when I lost in a playoff (against fellow ADT player Jonathan Wijono), I honestly had very good confidence.”

The Thai credited a strong third round for changing his outlook. “The third round really jump-started what could happen today,” he said.

He also paid tribute to his local caddie and family support.

“This week all credit to my caddie, a local caddie. Without her I probably would have been blindfolded or just keep guessing the line, so huge, huge credit to her. Also great to have my family here this week. It makes it even more sweet.”

Winning at Royal Hua Hin made the breakthrough even more meaningful.

“To win at this iconic golf course in Thailand, the very first golf course in Thailand, is a dream come true.”

Asked how he would celebrate, the visibly emotional champion smiled.

“Some good food, some really good sleep for sure.”

The victory, his first on an international tour after previous success on domestic circuits, also changes his season plans.

“This will completely change my schedule for the year,” he said. “I’ll have things in my control. It will be nice to pick and choose where I would like to play.

“Obviously the main goal is to get to the main tour, so I will work even harder to make sure I have that opportunity.”

Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati and Chinese Taipei’s Su Ching-hung will take a share of the lead into the final round of the SINGHA-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship 2026 after both moved to seven-under-par following Saturday’s third round.

The THB3 million event is being played at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Thailand’s oldest golf course celebrating its 100th anniversary, and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and Thailand PGA Tour.

Thailand’s veteran Prom Meesawat thrilled the home fans with a brilliant five-under-par 67 to surge into a share of third place, alongside Japan’s Kinjiro Kato, Thailand’s Weerawish Narkprachar and Wit Pitipat, plus Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar.

Meesawat, 41, recovered from an opening bogey at the par-five first and an outward nine of level par before powering home in five under, highlighted by two eagles.

“I didn’t start well, made bogey on the first hole, but I know this course quite well because I grew up here,” said Meesawat.

“I got a birdie back on hole three, made birdie on eight and bogey on nine. Then I set my goal for the back nine because the first two rounds I was five over for the back nine.

“I said I’m going to go low on the back nine.”

He duly delivered with birdie at 10, eagle at 11, birdie at 12, another birdie at 13 and a chip-in eagle at 15.

“I know this course well. If I hit it into a good position, I can putt,” he said.

“Then the tough finish of 16, 17 and 18 into the wind, so I tried to make par for the last three holes.”

Meesawat said Royal Hua Hin becomes even more exacting when the wind rises.

Prom Meesawat of Thailand pictured in action during Round Three of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 24, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

“When the wind blows, it makes the course even more narrow,” he said. “It’s a lot tougher than usual, so you just try to put the ball in the fairway and don’t go into the bushes.

“It’s an old-school golf course. It’s short but it has its own tricks to kill you, especially on the greens.”

The Thai veteran also praised the partnership between the ADT and Thailand PGA Tour.

“To be honest it’s good that we join with the ADT. It’s a good start for the Thai PGA as it gives us world ranking points,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity for Thai players to play on the ADT and maybe go for the next step to the Asian Tour.”

Meesawat added that victory at his home course would be especially meaningful.

“I grew up watching Thaworn, Prayad and Boonchu play here. Before I went to school I would come and watch them tee off.

“It was always my dream to play tournaments here and it would mean a lot to win. I’ve come second here like five times — I’ve never won at my home course,” he laughed.

Lguirati matched the day’s best among the leaders with a six-birdie, one-bogey 67.

“I’m happy with this round,” said the Moroccan. “I made six birdies and one bogey. I hit the ball very well and managed the par fours and par threes very well.

“It puts me in a good position for tomorrow.”

He added that recent equipment changes had boosted his confidence.

“I’m very happy with my new Srixon irons. They feel very good and I feel like my swing is better.”

After finishing 14th on last season’s Order of Merit, Lguirati has bigger ambitions this year.

“I want to finish in the last group. Since the beginning of the year I have been working very hard with my team and I hope to finish in the top 10 this year.”

Su Ching-hung of Chinese Taipei pictured in action during Round Three of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 24, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Su carded a steady three-under round to join the lead and said patience was crucial in the afternoon breeze.

“When I played the back nine it was more windy, I just had to focus on hitting every shot into the fairway and make par with one or two putts,” he said.

On the par-five 15th, Su produced one of the shots of the day.

“I hit into the fairway and my second shot was about 280. I hit three-wood into the middle of the green.”

He added that the layout felt familiar.

“The course layout is similar to Taiwan so it was quite easy for me. The greens are not very fast but the fairways are firm, so you need some good luck.”

Fifteen-year-old Kato, playing in his first professional event, also continued to impress with a flawless six-under-par 66 featuring two birdies on the front nine and four on the back.

In a tie for eighth place on five-under-par are Thailand’s Chantijiti Kanoksaksakul, Amarin Kraivixien and Nitithorn Thippong, Korea’s Jail Kim and Italy’s Michele Ortolani.

With a packed leaderboard and home hopes high through Meesawat, Sunday’s final round promises a dramatic finish in Hua Hin.

Italy’s Gabriele de Barba and Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin will take a share of the halfway lead at the SINGHA-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship 2026 after both reached six-under-par at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on Friday.

The THB3 million event is being played at Thailand’s oldest golf course, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and Thailand PGA Tour.

Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong and Warun Iaemgaew are two shots back in joint third place on five under par.

A large group shares fifth place on four under, including Thailand’s Wit Pitipat, American Jooyoung Lee, Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, Chinese Taipei’s Su Ching-hung, Thailand’s Newport Laparojkit and Nitithorn Thippong, and Italy’s Michele Ortolani.

De Barba credited a hot putter for helping him climb into a share of the lead.

“I played well these two days and especially my putting was so good,” said the Italian.

“I made some good putts on 16 and 17 of around 10 metres.”

He added that Royal Hua Hin demands creativity as well as control.

“This course is very fun to play but it’s also difficult and challenging. It really makes you think and you have to use a lot of imagination.”

De Barba, who began last season with a victory, believes experience can help him mount a stronger campaign this year.

“Last year I started with a win but unfortunately I missed finishing top 10. This year, with a little more experience, I am confident I will do my best.”

Shahriffuddin Ariffin of Malaysia pictured in action during Round Two of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 23, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Ariffin, meanwhile, said discipline had been the key to his strong position on a course that punishes overly aggressive play.

“Probably I’m playing very solidly, enjoying the golf course,” said the Malaysian. “This golf course is very challenging, you need to play really smart and play fairway, green, fairway, green.

“You cannot be aggressive because there are so many traps and trees.”

He said a pair of chip-ins had played a big part in his round, including one at the last.

“I made two chip-ins today which helped,” he said. “I chipped in for birdie on the last hole, hole nine, from about seven metres.”

Among those sharing fifth, Pitipat and Lee continued to underline their consistency heading into the weekend.

Pitipat said he had relied heavily on his putter after feeling less than comfortable with his swing.

“Honestly, the first two days I didn’t feel completely comfortable with my swing,” said the Thai. “But today my putting was really good. I managed to save everything, made a lot of important putts, and that helped me avoid dropping any shots.”

He also praised the value of the co-sanctioned tournament for local players.

“It’s a great opportunity for Thai players. Having the ADT and ThaiPGA working together is a big step for the game here in Thailand.”

Jooyoung Lee of the USA pictured in action during Round Two of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 23, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Lee, from Texas, said patience had been crucial on a layout that offers few easy chances.

“It’s challenging, it’s not easy,” he said. “You just have to keep the ball in front of you and try to hit as many fairways and greens as you can, and then if you are lucky make some putts.”

The American is making one of his first appearances on the ADT after narrowly missing out on the final stage of Asian Tour Qualifying School last year.

“I played Asian Tour Q School last year, missed it by one for final stage, then my friend told me there was a Monday qualifier here,” he said. “There’s nothing much to play around home in Texas this week so I thought I might as well fly out and give it a shot.”

With two rounds remaining and the leaderboard tightly packed, the championship remains wide open heading into the weekend. A cut was made at +2 and a total of 66 players will start Round Three. The first groups head off at 6.35am local time with the leading group of Pattaropong, Ariffin and De Barba teeing off at 8.25am.

Thailand’s Warun Iaemgaew fired a superb seven-under-par 29 to take the first-round lead at the SINGHA-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship 2026, while India’s teenage talent Kartik Singh sits second after an excellent five-under-par 31 on Wednesday.

The THB3 million event is being played at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Thailand’s oldest golf course celebrating its 100th anniversary, and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and Thailand PGA Tour.

Warun mixed eight birdies with just one bogey and said his round exceeded expectations on one of the region’s most demanding layouts.

“Today was better than expected,” said the Thai, and pointed to his work off the tee as an example.

“My tee shots were good, which gave me opportunities for good approach shots and birdies. A good tee shot is the key here,” he said.

Warun also welcomed the chance for local players to compete in a co-sanctioned event.

“This is a good opportunity for Thai players to play on the ADT,” he said. “A win here would mean a lot to me and I’ll try my best to win here.”

Kartik Singh of India pictured in action during Round One of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 22, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Just two shots back, 16-year-old Singh continued his rapid rise with seven birdies and two bogeys.

“I played pretty well today. I got off to a good start birdieing the first two holes and I was able to carry that momentum through my round.”

Singh, who turned professional late last year after a decorated amateur career, said the move into the paid ranks has sharpened his game.

“The transition has been really good. Playing as a professional is definitely a different experience playing with the seasoned pros.

“In the professional world everyone is so good, so you really need to be at your best to compete. I think that is pushing me to improve and play well.”

He believes limiting mistakes is the key difference at this level.

“At amateur level, even if you make a couple of mistakes, you can still get away with it. But here, all the other players are playing almost flawlessly, so to be at the top you need to make as few mistakes as possible.”

Singh added that securing promotion to the Asian Tour is one of his main goals this season.

Sharing third place on four-under-par 32 are Italy’s Michele Ortolani, Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebsai, Thanakorn Thipayachan and Thanapol Charoensuk.

Michele Ortolani of Italy pictured in action during Round One of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 22, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Ortolani mixed five birdies with a lone bogey at the last after a composed display.

“A little bit frustrated because I was bogey-free until the very last hole,” he said. “Overall I am very happy, but the bogey on the last wasn’t the best.”

The Italian, who has former ADT player Eduardo Lipparelli on the bag this season, said arriving early in Hua Hin had helped him understand the subtleties of the historic layout.

“This is a really tricky course because it is very dry, so the ball kicks unpredictably on the fairways.

“You always need to respect old courses. Give yourself chances to hit the greens, and then if you hole putts, you hole putts.”

Puwit took a more adventurous route to four under, combining six birdies and an eagle with four bogeys after starting on the 10th tee.

The highlight came on his second nine, where he played holes one through six in six under par.

“It was a little crazy but I just kind of let it happen,” said Puwit.

“I made a good birdie on two, then on three I hit a really good six-iron for my second shot, about 200 yards uphill, and made a 12-footer for eagle.”

He said the co-sanctioned event offers an important pathway for local players.

“The co-sanction itself is awesome, giving Thai players an opportunity to play at a higher level and have a shot at the Asian Tour,” he said.

Sharing seventh place, on three under par, are Jaeil Kim of Korea, Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, Italy’s Gabriele de Barba and the Thai trio of Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, Weerawish Narkprachar and Warit Boonrod.

With the opening round complete, play resumes tomorrow with the first groups scheduled to tee off at 6.30am.