'Fabulous Five' aim to shine at Double A International Open

Bangkok: The young guns on the Asian Tour are ready to topple the big names when they tee up in the inaugural Double A International Open at St Andrews Hill (2000) Golf Club in Rayong, Thailand next week.

Talented Thai duo Prom Meesawat and Chapchai Nirat, India's rising star Shiv Kapur, young American Ron Won and Australian Adam Groom form the Fabulous Five and have proven themselves with impressive performances.

The upcoming stars will be eager to eclipse Thai stalwarts Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, last year's number one and the current Order of Merit leader. The Thai duo will start as firm favourites in the US$300,000 event, which will be the 23rd leg of this season's Asian Tour.

Since his rookie season in 2004, the burly Prom has grown from strength to strength and is dreaming of a maiden Asian Tour triumph on home soil. "The course is very challenging at St Andrews Hill. I played there some years ago and it'll be a good test. It's great to have a new tournament in Thailand as it shows that we are growing but more importantly, it creates opportunities for Thai players to play," said Prom.

Currently 11th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with winnings of US$124,021, the 21-year-old Prom is looking for a winning breakthrough after stringing together a run of seven top-20s in his last eight events.

He also tasted his first professional triumph in August, winning a domestic event which he says has added to his confidence. "After that win, I feel I can win on the Asian Tour, maybe at the Double A International Open.

"My short game has improved a lot compared to a year ago. I've put in a lot of work on the short game, chipping and putting for three hours a day and for 30 minutes after every round.

"I was in contention at the Crowne Plaza Open in Beijing but didn't have a good front nine. However I wasn't nervous while in contention. I was comfortable in that position," said Prom.

The big-hitting Chapchai, who is a year older than Prom, has quickly emerged as one of Asia's rising stars thanks to some phenomenal performances in his rookie season on the Asian Tour. He announced his arrival in a big way by grabbing the joint first round lead in the Singapore Open before finishing 11th. At the following week's Taiwan Open, Chapchai challenged Thaworn for the title and settled for the runner-up place.

"I never imagined that I would enjoy success in my first year on Tour," said Chapchai, who turned pro at a young age of 16.

"Everything has clicked for me recently and finishing second in the Taiwan Open was unbelievable. I was very nervous being in contention but I do feel I can challenge for a title on the Asian Tour. I'm looking forward to the Double A International Open," said Chapchai.

Both Prom and Chapchai have forged a close friendship and feel that they can push each other to more success in the region. Chapchai said: "We have a friendly rivalry and I think we'll push each other to do well. Prom has often given me advice in the past about playing in professional tournaments and it's helped."

Looking to eclipse the Thai duo is Kapur, the 23-year-old 2002 Asian Games individual gold medallist. Having securing his card for 2006 with some solid form, the Indian is now gunning for victory.

"Now that I do not have to worry about keeping my card, it'll be my intention to try and win a tournament. I've found something in my game since visiting my coach Kel Llewellyn during the summer break and I'm now feeling confident," said Kapur, who has posted three top-10s in his last four tournaments.

Groom was named the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year last season and will be attempting to break through with a victory next week while Korean-American Won has in recent times shown some good form with four top-20s and is presently ranked 51st on the Order of Merit.

October 27, 2005

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