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 1985 Australian Amateur, Putra Cup (individual and team)
Professional wins (19) Asian Tour wins (5) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up11 Oct 1995Langkawi Open−15 (67-71-67-68=273)7 strokes Jamnian Chitprasong27 Jan 1996(1995 season)Myanmar Open +5 (68-72-76-77=293)Playoff Jeff Senior329 Sep 1996Lexus International−12 (75-69-67-65=276)Playoff Mike Cunning46 Apr 1997London Myanmar Open (2)−15 (72-65-68-68=273)Playoff John Senden525 Jan 2004Thailand Open−18 (68-66-69-67=270)5 strokes Kim Jong-duck, Prayad Marksaeng
Asian Tour playoff record (3–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11996Myanmar Open Jeff SeniorWon with par on first extra hole21996Lexus International Mike CunningWon with birdie on first extra hole31997London Myanmar Open John SendenWon with birdie on first extra hole42009Brunei Open Darren Beck, Gaganjeet BhullarBeck won with birdie on third extra holeRuangkit eliminated by par on second hole
Asia Golf Circuit wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunners-up15 Apr 1992Thai International Thailand Open−13 (70-69-66-70=275)4 strokes Richard Backwell, Rémi Bouchard, 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) 1998 Mercuries Masters (Taiwan)
European Senior Tour wins (5) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up17 Mar 2010Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters−14 (64-69-66=199)Playoff Frankie Miñoza214 Mar 2010Chang Thailand Senior Masters−21 (64-66-65=195)11 strokes Jamnian Chitprasong, Frankie Miñoza, Katsuyoshi Tomori328 Mar 2010Berenberg Bank Masters−3 (69-78-69=216)3 strokes Bobby Lincoln, Sam Torrance417 Oct 2010Benahavis Senior Masters−16 (68-65-64=197)7 strokes John Gould, Carl Mason54 Sep 2011Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters−9 (68-68-71=207)4 strokes Gordon Brand Jnr, Roger Chapman, Barry Lane
European Senior Tour playoff record (1–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult12010Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters Frankie MiñozaWon with par on second extra hole
Japan PGA Senior Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up11 Jun 2013ISPS Handa Cup Satsukibare Senior Masters−3 (71-70=141)Playoff Kiyoshi Maita
Team appearances Amateur Eisenhower Trophy (representing Thailand): 1984
Professional Dunhill Cup (representing Thailand): 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992 World Cup (representing Thailand): 1988, 1989, 1994 Dynasty Cup (representing Asia): 2005 (winners)
See also List of golfers with most Asian Tour wins List of golfers with most European Senior Tour wins
External links