Boonchu Ruangkit (born 12 May 1956) is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Champions Tour.

Early life

As a young man, Boonchu tried for a career in kickboxing, but he gave it up after being knocked out cold in his third bout. He made his mark in golf when he won the 1985 Australian Amateur.

Professional career

Boonchu turned professional in 1986. He has won five titles on the Asian Tour since its first modern season in 1995, and has several other victories to his name. He was the runner-up on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 1995 and also made the top ten in 1998 and 2004. In the latter year he won the Thailand Open for the second time in his career at the age of 47.

In 2006, Boonchu turned 50 and became eligible to play in senior tournaments. He finished first in the 2006 Champions Tour Qualifying School and joined the Champions Tour in 2007. In 2010, he joined the European Senior Tour and won four events (including three straight) and the Order of Merit.

Amateur wins

Professional wins (19)

Asian Tour wins (5)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
11 Oct 1995Langkawi Open−15 (67-71-67-68=273)7 strokesThailand Jamnian Chitprasong
27 Jan 1996 (1995 season)Myanmar Open+5 (68-72-76-77=293)PlayoffAustralia Jeff Senior
329 Sep 1996Lexus International−12 (75-69-67-65=276)PlayoffUnited States Mike Cunning
46 Apr 1997London Myanmar Open (2)−15 (72-65-68-68=273)PlayoffAustralia John Senden
525 Jan 2004Thailand Open−18 (68-66-69-67=270)5 strokesSouth Korea Kim Jong-duck, Thailand Prayad Marksaeng

Asian Tour playoff record (3–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11996Myanmar OpenAustralia Jeff SeniorWon with par on first extra hole
21996Lexus InternationalUnited States Mike CunningWon with birdie on first extra hole
31997London Myanmar OpenAustralia John SendenWon with birdie on first extra hole
42009Brunei OpenAustralia Darren Beck, India Gaganjeet BhullarBeck won with birdie on third extra hole Ruangkit eliminated by par on second hole

Asia Golf Circuit wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunners-up
15 Apr 1992Thai International Thailand Open−13 (70-69-66-70=275)4 strokesAustralia Richard Backwell, Canada Rémi Bouchard, Thailand Thaworn Wiratchant

TPC Tour wins (6)

  • 2000 TPC Championships
  • 2002 TPC Championships
  • 2003 Singha Classic
  • 2004 Chevrolet Championship
  • 2006 Singha Masters, Singha E-San Open

Other wins (1)

European Senior Tour wins (5)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
17 Mar 2010Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters−14 (64-69-66=199)PlayoffPhilippines Frankie Miñoza
214 Mar 2010Chang Thailand Senior Masters−21 (64-66-65=195)11 strokesThailand Jamnian Chitprasong, Philippines Frankie Miñoza, Japan Katsuyoshi Tomori
328 Mar 2010Berenberg Bank Masters−3 (69-78-69=216)3 strokesSouth Africa Bobby Lincoln, Scotland Sam Torrance
417 Oct 2010Benahavis Senior Masters−16 (68-65-64=197)7 strokesEngland John Gould, England Carl Mason
54 Sep 2011Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters−9 (68-68-71=207)4 strokesScotland Gordon Brand Jnr, England Roger Chapman, England Barry Lane

European Senior Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
12010Aberdeen Brunei Senior MastersPhilippines Frankie MiñozaWon with par on second extra hole

Japan PGA Senior Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner-up
11 Jun 2013ISPS Handa Cup Satsukibare Senior Masters−3 (71-70=141)PlayoffJapan Kiyoshi Maita

Team appearances

Amateur

Professional

See also

External links