HUA HIN, Thailand (July 25, 2011) — At the same time seasoned touring pro Darren Clarke held off Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to win the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in England, a talented, teenage amateur was busy repelling 107 challengers in the 2nd Annual Hyatt Open at Banyan Golf Club in Thailand.

With net scores of 65 and 69 for a two-day total of 134 (10-under-par), 10-handicap Swede Oscar Odestal finished one clear of runner-up Anand Singhsachthep to earn the champion’s trophy and the glory of taming a Rolex World’s Top 1000 golf course.

“Junior golf development is very close to our hearts at Banyan Golf Club, so to see such a young player win this distinguished tournament is fitting,” said Stacey Walton, Banyan GC’s general manager. “From tee to green, the course was playing as good as a tour event, and Oscar won with a tour-quality performance.” 

In Hua Hin on a family holiday, the 15-year-old phenom played Banyan GC as if it were as familiar to him as Royal Eslov and Barseback — his home courses in Sweden.

Tournament supporters Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and Hyatt Regency Hua Hin recognized all golfers by presenting each competitor with event shirts and a personalized locker with name plate.

Other player perks included:

•    An extravagant, opening-night barbecue dinner at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin;

•    On-course head and neck massages provided by I-Sawan and Hyatt Regency Hua Hin’s spa, a Conde Nast Traveler magazine ‘Hot List’ winner in 2007; and

•    Use of Banyan GC’s leading-edge golf buggies, featuring GPS technology with real-time scoring so that every participant could experience a live leaderboard in their cart.

After awarding Odestal the first-place prize, Hyatt Regency Hua Hin general manager Sammy Carolus acknowledged Thai Airways, Titleist, Toyota, BB&B, Connect 3e charity, Thai Country Club, Santiburi Samui Golf Club and other Hyatt Open sponsors, and announced next year’s edition will take place July 21-22, again at Banyan GC and in conjunction with the Open Championship.