Improving Gunn vows to stay patient as he continues to await JGTO breakthrough 

Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul posted his first top-10 finish on JGTO in 30 months after claiming a morale-boosting tied-eighth result at the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament on Sunday.

Gunn signed off with a three-under-par 67 to end the week with a four-day total of 18-under-par 262, four shots off from the title playoff, which was eventually ruled by Japan’s Shugo Imahira.

The last time Gunn finished in the top-10 was at the Dunlop Phoenix in November 2020.

Starting the day four shots off the pace, Gunn failed to make any ground on the leaders after managing just nine straight pars.

But the Thai showed his resolve in his homeward run with birdies on holes 10, 13, 14 and 17 to move up on the leaderboard.

But a dropped shot at the last - his only third bogey of the week - dented his hopes of closing with a flawless round.

"The front-nine was pretty tough for me. I couldn’t find the accuracy, and I didn't hit it too well there, too," lamented Gunn.

"After the birdie on 10, I got the momentum going and just had to trust myself and execute the shots.

"Overall, I expected myself to do much better than since I was in contention in the final round.

But is what it is what it is."

Gunn has vowed to build on the solid outing, which followed up on his tied-18th result at the Diamond Cup last week.

"I see improvement in the last three or four weeks. I'll just have to stick to my practice, and I know the good results will come."

Gunn had initially intended to qualify for the US Open through Japan's sectional qualifier tomorrow. But he has decided against doing so as he was still recuperating from a thumb injury.

"I pulled out last night because my thumb was just about getting better," he explained.

"And I never really play a 36-hole event after one tournament. 

"The US Open is obviously important, I want to play if possible, but my health comes first."

Last year's joint runner-up Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe also could not mount a strong challenge on the final day as he closed with a 68 to settle for joint 10th on 263.

But he preferred to look on the bright side.

"I played good, just the finish not so good," said Vincent.

"But I'm feeling good with my game, and I'm excited about next week (Gateway to Open Mizuno Open).

"If I keep playing like this, I'll have a chance. I just need to keep fighting. Keep trying and keep believing. I think I'll be okay."

Anthony Quayle of Australia and South African JB Kruger were some of the other top international performers of the week.

They were bunched in a share of 16th on 265.