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'Big Dolphin' makes a splash in Order of Merit

Asia rolled out the red carpet for Michelle Wie but at the end of a magical week, a new star was born in the shape of burly Thai, Prom Meesawat.

The 21-year-old Prom realised his potential with a career breakthrough triumph on Sunday, winning the weather-shortened US$600,000 SK Telecom Open in Korea with a winning score of 15-under-par 201.

Prom picked up a rewarding cheque of US$127,523, and jumped to sixth place on the latest Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit with US$206,192, surpassing his total earnings from two previous seasons.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh's tied second outing in Korea strengthened his position atop the UBS Order of Merit, a cheque of US$53,134 raising his season's tally to US$442,526. The recently-crowned Volvo China Open champion is US$112,768 ahead of second-placed Charlie Wi of Korea, who tied for 27th place at the SK Telecom Open.

Prom's victory completed a remarkable, and sometimes, difficult journey for one of Thailand's most gifted golf products. Growing up in the coastal resort town of Hua Hin, Prom found inspiration at home to pick up golf.

His father, Suthep, was hailed a hero when he became the first local player to win the Thailand Open in 1991 and Prom naturally followed in his footsteps. But a diversion from his regular route to school has also played a big role in Prom's growing career.

Whenever an event rolled up to Hua Hin, Prom would sneak to the first hole to watch Thai stalwarts such as Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng in action before rushing off to classes. "I looked up to these players when I was growing up, and now, I'm playing with them regularly. It's quite a nice feeling," said Prom.

It was inevitable that Prom would later enjoy a stellar amateur career, defined by impressive victories in the World Junior Amateur Championship in San Diego in 1997 and 2002 and seven straight titles at the Asia Pacific Junior Championship.

Fijian star Vijay Singh has also helped shape Prom's career by suggesting to the Thai youngster to turn professional rather than pursue an amateur career in the United States. After earning his Asian Tour card from Qualifying School in 2004, Prom grew in strength and stature, initially keeping his playing rights by making 13 cuts from 19 starts in his rookie season and then posting five top-10s last year to finish a commendable 15th on the Order of Merit.

Then, he said he was just "a few putts away from winning."

Thanks to his Buddhist upbringing, where he spent two weeks as a monk in a temple in Hua Hin last year, Prom believes the power of the mind prevails over physical strength, and he showed all those qualities with a superb victory over the weekend.

With 16-year-old Wie hogging all the attention, Prom went about his own business in Seoul. “It’s good playing in my group as there was no pressure with all the attention on Michelle's group. There was not too much noise where I played. I just played my own game today."

There was a tinge of sadness in Prom's moment of triumph, and he dedicated his win to his late mother, who had provided the morale support during his formative years. “This is a present to my mom (Somsri Meesawat) as she passed away three years ago. Her birthday is on the 22nd of this month,” said Prom.

Nicknamed the "Big Dolphin" due to his burly physique and because he lives in a coastal town, Prom is bound to make more splashes along the way and has targeted greater triumphs.

"Now that I've qualified for the HSBC Champions Tournament, I would like to play well in that event," said the Thai.

The Asian Tour heads to India for the first time this season for the inaugural US$400,000 Aamby Valley Asian Masters starting near Mumbai on Thursday.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20

Pos. Player Winnings (US$)
1. Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 442,526
2. Charlie WI (KOR) 329,758
3. Andrew BUCKLE (AUS) 280,212
4. Simon DYSON (ENG) 269,265
5. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 217,222
6. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 206,192
7. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 177,777
8. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 174,382
9. Tadahiro TAKAYAMA (JPN) 173,460
10. WANG Ter-chang (TPE) 141,788
11. Jarrod LYLE (AUS) 136,270
12. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 131,299
13. Shiv KAPUR (IND) 130,407
14. SUK Jong-ryul (KOR) 125,000
15. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 107154
16. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 101,637
17. Amandeep JOHL (IND) 97,885
18. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 93,970
19. Mahal PEARCE (NZL) 91,625
20. LEE Sung (KOR) 89,829

May 8, 2006