Thaworn eyes Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam title

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant will be aiming to add Vietnam to his growing list of victories when he tees up in the US$200,000 Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam presented by Thai Airways International next week.

The 38-year-old Thai has enjoyed a spectacular season, winning three titles in Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and India to cement his position at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with the year coming to a close.

Thaworn finished fourth in the inaugural Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam after shooting a final round 74 and finished behind winner Angelo Que of the Philippines. But he will be aiming to improve on that performance at Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club from November 17-20.

"Last year, I finished fourth and this year, I hope to finish inside the top-10 again," said Thaworn. "I was in contention but was under pressure during the final round. I remember the Chi Linh Star course is very difficult and very hilly. The greens are probably the biggest defence as they are difficult to read."

Thaworn had planned to take next week off after a hectic season of jetsetting across Asia in his bid to dethrone compatriot Thongchai Jaidee from his mantle as Asian Tour number one.

However, the unorthodox swinging Thai decided to sign up for the Carlsberg event as a show of support for the new tournament. "I was planning to take break but I feel it is important to support this tournament which is still new.

"It is only into its second year and it is good for Vietnam to stage a professional tournament to promote the game here. Before the Carlsberg Masters Vietnam, there wasn't any major tournament here for many years.

"You always need a major event in a country to help push the development of the game and I'm sure this tournament will do just that and eventually unearth a first Vietnamese player to feature on the Asian Tour. That would be the goal," said Thaworn.

Thaworn joined Thongchai as a European Tour winner by claiming a sensational victory at the co-sanctioned Standard Chartered Indonesia Open in March with a winning total of 25-under-par 255, the lowest aggregate on both Tours. While it will not enter the archives as an official record, his effort was still astounding.

Known for a magical short game and a tenacity to grind out a result, Thaworn went on to win the Taiwan Open and Hero Honda Indian Open to become only the fourth player to win three titles in a single season.

However, he has remained modest of his success. "I don't know why I am playing so good this year. I have been doing the same thing throughout my career right from when I was an amateur. I think I am just more lucky now," said Thaworn.

Other top Asian Tour players who will head to Hanoi for the Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam presented by Thai Airways International include five-time winner Zhang Lian-wei of China and this season's champions Adam Le Vesconte and Scott Strange, both from Australia, Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and Richard Lee of New Zealand.

Top Thais Prom Meesawat, enjoying a stellar season, and Thammanoon Srirot, who has won five-times on the Asian Tour, South Africa's James Kingston and title holder Angelo Que of the Philippines will also head to Hanoi next week.

As part of the efforts to develop golf through the Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam, the Vietnam's national amateur golf team, who is preparing for the Southeast Asian Games next month, will also get the opportunity to rub shoulders alongside the Asian Tour's finest stars at the highly rated Chi Linh Star.

November 7, 2005

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