December 25, 2024

Kanchanaphiboon is tied for 25th after two rounds of national championships

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Image courtesy of Garden City Community College Athletics

By GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Melbourne, FL-The front nine has been kind to Kanchana Kanchanaphiboon through the first two rounds at Duran Golf Club. But the turn has been a challenge, and Tuesday was no exception.  

After a 1-over front side, the sophomore struggled over the final nine holes, bogeying three straight including a double on 16 to finish 5-over for the day in round two of the 2024 NJCAA Women’s Golf National Championships. She’s plus-8 for the tournament and currently tied for 25th

“She is putting up good numbers, it’s just hard to play bogey-free golf,” Head Coach, Jaden Chavez said. “You have to convert some of those birdie chances.”

Kanchanaphiboon missed one of those on the par-4 second when she failed to convert a seven-foot putt. On no. 7, a manageable 177-yard par 3, Kanchanaphiboon’s approach got her within 30-feet of the hole. Her next shot was online and appeared like it was going in. But golf is a funny game, and the ball came to a dead stop about six feet short. She eventually tapped in for par. 

“It’s frustrating, but that’s the way it happens sometimes,” Chavez explained. 

The sophomore two-putted on eight to drop her back to 4-over for the tournament. Then, at the turn, Kanchanaphiboon parred the first four holes before back-to-back bogeys on 14 and 15. On 16, the same hole she was able to save on Monday, she doubled, derailing a chance to sneak back into the top 20. 

Daytona State’s Angelica Holman is the leader through two rounds at 11-under. She’s four strokes ahead of teammate Analiese Raath. 

Kanchanaphiboon tees off in round three at 9:09 a.m. EST on Wednesday.