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Teenage wonder Chinarat eying success at HSBC

Thai teenage prodigy Chinarat Phadungsil hopes to mark his first anniversary as a professional with a strong outing at the star-studded HSBC Champions starting on Thursday.

Chinarat has fond memories of the HSBC Champions as it was at this event 12 months ago that he made his debut, finishing 57th in the elite field at Sheshan International Golf Club.

Having turned 18 last week, but already with two Asian Tour titles under his belt, he believes his game has improved considerably that he intends to challenge the likes of world number one Tiger Woods and title holder David Howell this week.

"I have great memories of last year's event as it was my first tournament as a professional player," said Chinarat today. "I remember feeling really excited and nervous as it isn't every day that you get into the same tournament as Tiger.

"I know my overall game has become better compared to a year ago. It's great to be here again in a big-money event and it would be pretty good if I can play well and maybe get into the same pairing with Tiger. That would be nice."

Since winning the Double A International Open on home soil as an amateur last year, Chinarat has blossomed into a player whom many predict will see him play on the US PGA Tour.

The power-packed Chinarat claimed a second Asian Tour triumph at the Crowne Plaza Open in China in August and has notched four top-10s and two tied 13th finishes as well this season.

Chinarat feels his transition from amateur to professional rank is still a work in progress. And with the recent passing of his coach Bud Kareeput, he has turned to his father to help work on his game.

"There are a few areas which I want to further improve on. Whenever I play practice rounds with Thaworn (Wiratchant), he keeps showing how good a player he is in getting the ball up and down for pars. That's one thing which I want to get better at and I'm trying to learn from him.

"My father has also started to look after my game now. It's all good as he was my first coach and we get along really well," said Chinarat.

Other top Asian Tour players in this week's field include India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Randhawa, Chinese duo Liang Wen-chong and Zhang Lian-wei, Singaporean Mardan Mamat and Thailand's Prom Meesawat.

November 7, 2006