For the first time in its five-year history, the Cambodian leg of the Faldo Series Asia golf championship saw a female player emerge as the overall winner, with that distinction going to Thailand’s Onkanok Soisuwan for her two-round five under par 139 at the Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap yesterday.

The rising Thai star followed in the footsteps of some of her compatriots who have lit up this course over the past few years.

Using course knowledge gained from her previous appearance in the event, Onkanok produced two rounds of 70 (-2) and 69 (-3) for a five-shot winning margin over compatriot Korapat Dahanvarjor, who lost ground in the boys division after a first round 68 with a second round 77 for an overall one over par 145.

However, Dahanvarjor had the consolation of winning the boys division ahead of Tommy Lamb of England, who shot a two-round 147, three over par.

Japan’s Momoka Hidaka (Japan) with 72 and 79 for a total of 151 was declared the winner of the girls division.

Cambodia’s Tevy Sareoun ended up with a combined 163 (84 and 79) but earned a ticket to the grand final in Vietnam early next year as a national qualifier.

Tevy Sareoun has taken her game up a level since last year under the watchful eye of AGR’s head professional, Alan Martin, and is now regularly shooting sub-80 rounds. Her second-round 79 showed glimpses of her best competitive golf, and were it not for some misfortune on the greens it could easily have been a 75.

“It was a privilege to host these young players this weekend and it’s always a joy to watch them play. They all conducted themselves impeccably. The quality of golf was extremely high and we wish all of the qualifiers the best of luck in the grand final next March,’’ David Baron, the director of golf at the AGR, told the Post yesterday.