Thaworn looks for happy ending to great year

The season comes to a close this week for Thaworn Wiratchant and irrespective of his finish at the Volvo Masters of Asia on home soil, the Thai star is already a contented man.

The 38-year-old Thaworn has won four times in a terrific season on the Asian Tour this year, breaking several records along the way including the most wins and earnings in a single season.

What is left for him is to wrap up the prestigious Order of Merit crown but if that eludes him somehow, which the punters will bet against, Thaworn will have no qualms about his sterling efforts this season.

"I'm happy with my year. It's been a successful year with four wins. I'm really happy with what I have achieved," said Thaworn ahead of this week's season-finale, the US$600,000 Volvo Masters of Asia at the award-winning Thai Country Club.

For a man known for his dedication and countless of hours at the practice range, Thaworn will be playing in his 14th consecutive event in Asia and has earned the nickname "Ironman".

It is rather appropriate as Thaworn is the master of the short game and when he appeared for this afternoon's press conference to promote the Volvo Masters of Asia, he gleefully walked in with a sand wedge in hand.

Thaworn leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit with record earnings of US$502,265 but Thongchai can still pip him to the title. Thongchai, last year's merit winner, cannot finish lower than second place if he hopes to deny Thaworn a first Order of Merit crown.

A top cheque of US$108,000 is available for this week's winner while second place is worth US$69,000. If Thongchai produces a win, Thaworn must finish second to lift his first ever merit title.

Should Thongchai comes in second, Thaworn needs to finish no lower than seventh place on his own to end his terrific season which already includes four titles.

Thaworn and Thongchai will play in the final pairing in the first round on Thursday based on their rankings and both players are looking forward to the encounter, although it promises to be a friendly showdown.

"I am well prepared. I want to win the trophy, the Order of Merit title is not the issue. I want to win this event. Irrespective of what happens this week, I'm still very happy with my season," said Thaworn, who holds the most number of wins in Asia with eight titles.

Winning the Order of Merit title comes with several attractive perks. The winner will gain an exemption into next year's British Open at Royal Liverpool while an invitation to the US PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii next month awaits the merit winner as well.

It will be the first time that the Sony Open is extending an exemption to the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

December 7, 2005

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