Thaworn believes American Express can pay off for Asia

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant believes this week's World Golf Championships-American Express Championship in England is a great opportunity for Asian stars to sparkle against the global's elite.

Along with compatriot Thongchai Jaidee and India's Jyoti Randhawa, Thaworn qualified for the star-studded US$7.5 million event at The Grove in Hertfordshire after finishing in the top-three of the 2005 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

"This is the very good opportunity as the tournament is a chance for top Asian Tour players to go out and test our abilities in one of the biggest events in the world," said Thaworn, who is making his debut in a WGC event.

"There will no doubt be a lot of world-class players in this week's field and it's a good challenge for us."

Amongst the big guns who will headline the American Express Championship include world number one and defending champion Tiger Woods of the United States. Woods will be looking for his fifth victory in the event.

Eleven members of the victorious European Ryder Cup team including Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey will also be in action at The Grove. Other top stars include Vijay Singh of Fiji, Ernie Els of South Africa and Australian Adam Scott, who successfully defended the Barclays Singapore Open recently.

Korea's Choi Kyung-ju, a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour, will also challenge for the US$1.3 million top prize as he looks forward to renewing old ties with his former Asian Tour colleagues.

Thaworn claimed his career first Order of Merit crown last season following a record-breaking year where he won four times. He has yet to win in 2006 but has posted four top-10s, including a tied sixth finish in the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open at the weekend.

The 39-year-old, who is not fond of playing in cold climates, has adapted to playing abroad and enjoyed a successful campaign at the BMW Championship, the European Tour's flagship event, in Wentworth in May where he was joint 35th.

The Thai was tied for 31st place at the British Open at Royal Liverpool in July, capping his major debut with a memorable eagle two during the third round. He was equal ninth at The Open at the halfway stage.

With no halfway cut for this week's limited field event, Thaworn is looking to take an aggressive route to the top. "I am going to be quite comfortable playing in this event because there is no halfway cut. But a lot will depend on the weather and course conditions. If the rough is long, it could be tough," said Thaworn, who is presently ranked 13th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

"Asian golf is getting better but we have to do more in big tournaments like this."

Thongchai, Asia's number one in 2001 and 2004, has acknowledged that his game has not been up to its usual lofty standard which has helped him to seven career titles but a two week break following the conclusion of the Barclays Singapore Open will have recharged his batteries.

The former paratrooper has played in several WGC events since 2002, with his best finish being equal 32nd at the NEC Invitational in 2004.

Randhawa, the best player in the region in 2002, will also be looking to make an impression at The Grove after a successful rookie season on the European Tour in which he has secured his card for 2007. The Indian finished tied 54th in the 2003 American Express Championship.

Asian Tour member Simon Dyson of England, presently ranked fifth on the UBS Order of Merit, is also in this week's field.

September 26, 2006

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