Thongchai stays in the hunt for Order of Merit

The window of opportunity is still open for local sensation Thongchai Jaidee to be crowned Asia’s number one for the second straight year as he finished the first round tied in 13th position at the Volvo Masters of Asia on Thursday.

Thongchai, with US$448.735, trails leader and countryman Thaworn Wiratchant by US$53,530 in the Order of Merit race and as a result, needs to produce nothing less than a top two finish at the Thai Country Club for a successful title defence. He shot a two-under-par 70 yesterday and trails joint leaders Shiv Kapur of India and Australia’s Andrew Buckle by four strokes.

The high-flying Thai was joint 13th alongside local talent Boonchu Ruangkit, United States duo Jason Knutzon and Ron Won, New Zealand’s Mahal Pearce, Philippines Frankie Minoza, Scott Strange of Australia and defending champion India’s Jyoti Randhawa.

Thaworn was a stroke off tied in 21st position with fellow Thai Chapchai Nirat, American’s Edward Michaels and Edward Loar, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, Korea’s Kang Wook-soon, Chinese Taipei’s Wang Ter-chang and Lu Wen-teh and Simon Yates of Scotland.

“I found the greens very hard. I’m disappointed to finish one-under but hope for a better run tomorrow,” said Thaworn.

If Thongchai claims second place, it which would earn him US$69,000 and Thaworn subsequently must finish out of the top seven. But if Thongchai wins, Thaworn has to finish no lower than second position.

Thongchai was unable to find a consistent rhythm as he birdied the par five fourth hole, par four fifth hole, and the par four ninth hole. He then carded birdies on hole 10, 14 and 17 on the backnine. He scored bogeys in hole six, 12, 13 and ended the day with a bogey on the par four18th.

“It was a very bad drive which hooked to the left. It made it difficult but thankfully I made a good chip and managed to save bogey.”

“Two under is no problem as I’m in good position to challenge for the title,” said Thongchai.

“I hope to keep the ball on the fairway and produce better in the second round,” he said.

The Order of Merit winner will gain exemptions into the British Open next July as well as earn an invite into the US PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii next month. In addition, the Volvo Masters of Asia winner will be exempted for next year's WGC-Bridgestone invitational while the top three finishers on the Order of Merit will be invited to play in the WGC-American Express Championship.

December 8, 2005

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