T

atiana Jaqueline Wijaya emerged as Indonesia's only champion at the Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship, but it was the Thai golfers who stood out by winning titles in six categories.

Tatiana, who turns 13 on June 18, won with an 11 over par in the girls' category C (ages 11-12). In second and third place were Thailand's Orn-Nicha Konsunthea (14-over) and Benyapa Nipatsopon (17-over).

It was an improvement on the part of Tatiana, who finished runner-up last year.

Tatiana, who ranked among the top 10 in the Australian Women's Amateur Golf Championship last year, acknowledged the Thais were tough to beat but said she was not overawed by their record.

"When I face strong players, all I can think of is how to beat them," she said Friday on the sidelines of the closing of the championships.

In the team event category of the girls' division, Ika Woro Palupi and Nadya Rosiana had to be content with third position, trailing runners-up Bertine Strauss and Lara Weinstein of South Africa and champions Jaruporn Palakavong and Panitta Yu-Sabai of Thailand.

Thailand also triumphed in the boys' team category, leaving Indonesia, last year's winner, in third place.

Poom Saksansin and Korntawach Julamool led compatriots Watanyu Pupareesor and Nerun Sea-Ueng in a one-two finish for Thailand.

Thai No. 1 junior golfer Poom Saksansin, who last month won the Asia Pacific Junior Golf Championship, was also the champion in the boys' category B (age 13-14) last year.

Nerun Sea-Ueng won the category B and Puwit Anupansuebsai took the title in category D (age under 10) in the boys' division, while in the girls' division, Jaruporn Palakavong also won category A (age 15-17) and Panitta Yu-Sabai snatched category B.

"In Thailand, golf is already popular among young people because if one performs well, they can get scholarship," Thai team manager Likit Chaiyakith said after the trophy presentation.