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Thongchai seeks 3-peat in Malaysia

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee will be hoping to find the right swing as he aims for a historic third consecutive win at the US$1.25 million Maybank Malaysian Open which starts tomorrow.

The 37-year-old former paratrooper enjoyed a week off and used that time to refine his game, in particular his iron play and putting ahead of his Malaysian quest. There is a lot riding for the Thai as he is determined to play his way into golf folklore at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Amongst the stars tipped to challenge two-time champion Thongchai for the Maybank Malaysian Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour, include last year's Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant, China's Zhang Lian-wei, Spanish star Miguel Angel Jimenez and Irishman Padraig Harrington, who is playing in his first event of 2006.

A treble in Malaysia will see Thongchai become the first player to win an event three years in a row on the Asian Tour and also become the first Asian to do so on the European Tour. Victory could well remind officials at Augusta National of possibly extending an invite to Thongchai for the US Masters, the year's first major in April.

“I went to see my coach (Sanit Hensakun), and changed my swing a little bit. I had a slight problem with my iron and putting. I saw my coach and we checked on a few things and when we arrived, it’s feeling a lot better now,” said Thongchai today.

“I came here before the New Year to practice and the course was looking easy as it was wide open but when I arrived on Monday, it looked quite different. There is a lot of rough now and I think it'll be very challenging. If you miss the fairway, the rough will kill you. I will try my best to win again, for the Asian Tour. I love my game now as it’s getting better and better and the course too has been good,” he added.

If Thongchai, who won his two previous titles on a different course, manages to pull off his historic treble, it could also push him a lot closer towards his dream of getting into the Masters, whether through an invitation from Augusta National or by breaking into the world's top-50 the week prior to the Masters.

"I would love to play in Augusta but I do need to play good to get into the Masters. If I win this week, I think I may have a good chance to play in the Masters. It is my dream to play in the Masters. I've played in the US Open, British Open and US PGA Championship, only one more to go," said the two-time Asian Tour number one, who is currently ranked 97th in the world.

Spearheading the European charge is 35-year-old Harrington, who is looking to launch his season from Malaysia once again. A two-time winner on the US PGA Tour last season, the Ryder Cup star is hoping that the Irish eyes will finally be smiling this week after a nine week rest.

“I had nine weeks off. The main reason was rest. My game has been a bit rusty. I am happy with things I have worked on but it is always different being on the range than pulling the trigger on the golf course,” said Harrington, who has finished runner-up twice in Malaysia previously.

"I'm very comfortable here. The courses here in general do suit me. I like grainy greens, I play well in the heat and because there is not much run, you have to hit it in the air a long way and that suits me. I see an advantage out here. I do feel confident here. "

As for the Spaniard Jimenez, momentum will be the determining factor as he strives to continue his hot form from the Middle East where he finished fifth in Abu Dhabi and fourth in Dubai. He had a bit of a scare though when his golf clubs did not arrive on Monday but now has three sets to choose from.

“I’ve played two events in the Middle East and played well in Abu Dhabi. Everything has been good so far and I’m looking forward this week,” said Jimenez. “I hope to play into contention first. Hope to do well but more importantly play good golf.

"My clubs got lost in Paris and I got another set sent out to me. I also got the clubmakers here to produce another set. Now, I've got three sets!"

Another player who would be hoping for Augusta National to sit up and take notice is Thaworn, the Asian Tour number one after a record-breaking four victories last year. He has had a quiet spell of late but is feeling good about this week.

"This course suits Asian players and I think Asians will contend this week again. I will try my best and have to work hard. The course is good but if it rains, the conditions will be tougher," said Thaworn, who is currently sixth on the UBS Order of Merit.

Soaking in the heat and pressure is Chinese ace Zhang, who has had fond memories of Malaysia where he was twice crowned winner of the 1995 and 1996 Volvo Masters of Malaysia.

“In Malaysia, the spectators, weather and food are the main reason why Asians play well here. The heat is a factor and Asian players are used to it and tend to play well in these events as we adapt better in the heat,” said Zhang.

The Malaysian Open has been jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour since 1999.

February 15, 2006