Thongchai faces uphill battle in Merit fight

Local star Thongchai Jaidee has a mountain to climb if he hopes to retain his crown as Asia’s number one after a disappointing one-under-par 71 in the second round at the Volvo Masters of Asia on Friday.

Thongchai, with a season haul of US$448,735, trails leader and compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant by US$53,530 in the Order of Merit race and has to finish in the top two at the Thai Country Club this week to have a chance for a record third Merit title.

He finished the day in tied 16th place, seven shots behind second placed Jyoti Randhawa and eight behind leader Shiv Kapur, both from India. But the Thai, who has a two day total of three-under-par 141, intends to turn on the heat tomorrow.

If Thongchai claims second spot this week, it would earn him US$69,000 and Thaworn would subsequently have to finish outside the top seven for Thongchai to triumph in the merit race. But if Thongchai wins, Thaworn must finish second if he is to become Asia's number one for the first time in his career.

“There is still a strong chance for me to be in the top of the pack in this event, it is possible,” said Thongchai.

The Thai burst into action in the front nine when he eagled the par five fourth hole with an eight iron to 10 feet followed by a birdie on the eighth. But missing three greens in regulation on the back nine proved costly with two dropped shots.

“I was satisfied with my putting and swing but unfortunately missed three greens in regulation on the back nine,” said Thongchai, who shared 16th position alongside compatriot Thammanoon Srirot, Korea’s Ted Oh, Canada’s Rick Gibson, India’s Gaurav Ghei, American Edward Loar and Australian Richard Moir.

“I bogeyed the final hole for the second straight day and was slightly off the pace as I missed a three foot putt. But I enjoyed myself especially with the eagle on hole four where I managed a 10 foot putt," he said.

Thaworn, meanwhile, slipped down the leaderboard to 29th position as he struggled to a 73 and finished on a two-day total of 144. He was tied with countryman Prayad Marksaeng, Gary Rusnak and Anthony Kang of United States, New Zealand’s Richard Lee, Filipinos’ Angelo Que and Frankie Minoza and Korea’s Kang Wook-soon.

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 9, 2005

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