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Thursday December 6, 2007

Thongchai plans a royal show

BANGKOK: Thailand's top golfer Thongchai Jaidee (pic) wants a record third Volvo Masters of Asia crown in honour of his nation's revered King who celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday.

Thongchai will start as the raging favourite in the US$750,000 Asian Tour's season finale and he hopes to maintain a proud streak of winning a title in every year since 2000.

The Thai star must contend with the region's elite players as 55 from the top-60 of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit are assembled in Bangkok.

The focus will also be on Liang Wenchong of China who is bidding to become Asia's new number one in a straight fight with Thailand's Chapchai Nirat.

However, Thongchai is determined to steal the show once more in a tournament he first won on home soil in 2003.

“Today is my King's 80th birthday. I would like to try to win it for the King and my country. As you can see, we are all wearing yellow shirts as a show of respect,” said Thongchai, a two-time Asian number one.

“I'm feeling confident. I took last week off from Tour and played a bit of golf back home. This course sets up well for me. You need to think your way through to post a good number.”

He is proud of his winning run but Thongchai, an eight-time victor on the Asian Tour, does not want to be distracted by records or statistics.

“I will try to win but I don't want to think too much about it as it can add to the pressure. If I play well, I will have a chance,” he said.

Last year, he triumphed with an 11-under 277 aggregate, one better than Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza, but Thongchai predicted that scoring will be much lower this year.

While he hopes to see compatriot Chapchai defy the odds and prevent Wenchong from winning the money race, Thongchai said that the Chinese leader will have the edge.

Chapchai needs nothing less than a victory and for Wenchong to finish outside the top-three for him to claim Asia's number one.

“I think Wenchong has a very good chance. He's been very steady and has had a good year. Chapchai has a chance but all the top players from the Asian Tour are here this week, so it'll make it tough for him,” said Thongchai. – AFP

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