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Spotlight on Thongchai Jaidee

Truly one of the standout players in Asian Tour history, Thongchai Jaidee’s trailblazing career puts him in contention for the inaugural UBS Special Achievement Award.

Famously known as the parachuting paratrooper turned professional player, Thongchai Jaidee’s credentials as a candidate for the first UBS Special Achievement Award are simple – being the dominant player in Asian golf for year after year.

With seven victories around the region, Thongchai has been ranked in the top-three places on the UBS Order of Merit every year since 2001, including being crowned Asian number one in both 2001 and 2004, in a stunning display of sustained excellence.

Despite playing fewer events than many of his rivals as his international commitments increase, including dual victories and a full-time career on the European Tour, the 37-year-old has continued his Asian march this season, sitting in third place on the UBS Order of Merit with just the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia to play.

Headlined by his play in the region, and although somewhat lost in the hullabaloo surrounding Jeev Milkha Singh’s outstanding 2006, Thongchai has also quietly compiled another of the seasons for which he has become renowned.

The veteran star native earned a coveted invitation to the US Masters in April, just the second Thai to receive the prestigious honour and an appropriate recognition for his performances over many years. That was followed by being the first from his country to play in all four rounds of the Open Championship in July and finishing 54th on the European Order of Merit after five top-10s.

However, in keeping with the goals of this award, perhaps Thongchai’s most significant accomplishment is one that could take years to bear fruit. Earlier this year, he opened a youth golf academy for 20 youngsters in is home town of Lop Buri to help develop the game. And, in time, that may remain his most special achievement of all.


THONGCHAI JAIDEE
Country: Thailand
Date of Birth: 8 November, 1969
Residence: Lop Buri, Thailand
Turned Pro: 1999

ASIAN TOUR VICTORIES: 2000 Korean Open, 2001 Indian Open, 2002 Myanmar Open, 2003 Volvo Masters of Asia, 2004 Myanmar Open, 2004 Carlsberg Malaysian Open, 2005 Carlsberg Malaysian Open.

December 12, 2006