Thongchai targets masters glory in Singapore

Former soldier Thongchai Jaidee hopes to launch a full frontal assault for the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg, Singapore 2005 title to boost his hopes of an invite to the US Masters.

The Thai star, last year's Asian Tour number one, leads the region's best into battle on Thursday against a formidable line-up from the European Tour in the US$1 million co-sanctioned event at Laguna National Golf and Country Club.

Seven-time European number one Colin Montgomerie of Scotland is back to defend his crown alongside England's Lee Westwood, who is the highest ranked player in the world in this week's field, big Dane Thomas Bjorn and former British Open champion Paul Lawrie.

Thongchai is a man on a mission. After wrapping up his second Order of Merit crown in four years last month and finishing 43rd on the European money list, the Thai is looking to break new ground. And a spot in the prestigious US Masters, the year's first Major in April, is firmly in his thoughts.

"I played in a local event back home two weeks ago, shot 22 under but still finished second," said Thongchai. "I'm driving the ball well and my putting is improving. My form right now is 80 per cent, not 100 per cent yet, hopefully this week."

His 2004 season included back-to-back wins in the Myanmar Open and Carlsberg Malaysian Open last February, the latter which made him the first Thai to win a European Tour-sanctioned event. However, he is counting on another strong start to the season to catch the attention of Augusta National.

"My manager is trying to obtain an invitation from Augusta National. Hopefully, there will be some good news. Maybe if I win this week, it will help my case. I've finished once in the top-10 in this tournament here (in 2003) and I like this golf course. It's a good challenge and the condition is very good. Some of the par fives are reachable but the par threes are very tough," said Thongchai, who is ranked 84th in the world. He could also get a Masters start by being in the world's top-50.

This week, Thongchai must contend with the likes of Westwood, ranked 25th in the world and a proven winner in Asia. The Englishman has tasted success in Japan, Malaysia and Macau and the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg could be next on his hit list.

A 12-day holiday in Barbados during a 10-week sojourn has recharged his batteries but Westwood suspects his short game might not be as razor-sharp as he would like it to be. "My swing feels pretty good but my short game might be a little rusty. Hopefully I won't need it too much. I feel relaxed and refreshed. I have always enjoyed playing out here and that is why I have always done quite well. The only thing that I have got going against me is that it is my first week of the year. But I'm very keen to play," said Westwood, who practiced in Dubai before heading to Singapore.

Once ranked fourth in the world, Westwood is also determined to play his way back into the top-10 this season where the Ryder Cup star will also play regularly in America. Coached by swing guru David Leadbetter, Westwood was also full of praise for Thongchai. "He's a good player and he's proved that over the last couple of years. I think he has a pretty good game for anywhere in the world," said Westwood, a 16-time winner in Europe but not since the 2003 Dunhill Links Championship.

One player that Westwood could be running into occasionally in the US is India's Arjun Atwal, Asia's number one in 2003. The Indian, the first player to hit US$1 million in career earnings in Asia, failed to keep his full card in the US but will have a guaranteed 18 starts in the new season. A return to the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg brings good vibes as he won here in 2002, which launched him to international fame. "It's a perfect place to start off my year. I have good memories of this place," said Atwal, the only Asian with two titles on the European Tour.

"I'm just going to play a little smarter this year and I won't be as aggressive. The thing about the US is that they tuck every single pin in corners. I spoke to Phil Mickelson earlier last season and he said that when he came out on Tour, he they used to have six easy, six medium and six tough (pin placements). But there are 72 tough pins out there now and when I made mistakes, I couldn't get up and down for pars," said Atwal.

Other top names in this week's field include India's Jyoti Randhawa, last year's number two on the Asian Tour, Scotsman Simon Yates, who is US$239 short of becoming the fourth million-dollar earner in Asia, England's David Howell, South African Trevor Immelman and self-taught Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei, the winner here in 2003.

In support of the Society for Physically Disabled, ST School Pocket Money Fund, Caltex will donate S$25 for every birdie, S$1,000 for every eagle and S$10,000 for every hole-in-one scored by any golfer. The amount raised will also be matched by Caltex for the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund.

January 26, 2005

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