Chawalit looks for return to form for Samui defence

Defending champion Chawalit Plaphol returns to home soil eager to bounce back to his winning ways at the Bangkok Airways Open which tees off on Thursday.

Chawalit, with two titles in Asia, has found the right touch to his game ahead of the challenges at the Santiburi Samui Country Club which had brought him success last year.

But the Thai stalwart will be up against a solid field this week that include fellow compatriots Thongchai Jaidee, a two-time Asian Tour number one, Thaworn Wiratchant, Mardan Mamat of Singapore, India’s Gaurav Ghei, who is currently ranked seventh on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, and Malaysian duo of Iain Steel, who finished in the top-five last year, and Airil Rizman Zahari.

Having found the right swing to his game two weeks ago, Chawalit is inspired to put his game to the test when he tackles the par-71 course, known by many as the “Beast of Samui”.

“I am very excited coming into this week as my form is finally back on course,” said Chawalit.

“I have been struggling with my swing this year and that is why my performance on the Asian Tour has not been too good. But I stuck to my routine and made little changes which paid off two weeks ago when I started to strike the ball on target,” admitted the Thai.

Chawalit missed the cut in four out of the nine events competed this season before focusing his game in Japan in April. The Chonburi-based talent then returned to Thailand last week in preparation for the US$300,000 event.

“I was not discouraged even when I played poorly in Japan as I stuck to my plan. I worked on my swing bit by bit. I was happy when I returned home last week where I have doing light training prior to coming here. I feel good about my game now and I hope to do well. But the course here is always challenging with the tight fairways,” he said.

Feeling right at home is Chinese Taipie’s Lu Wen-teh who enjoys playing on the undulating course which saw him lift the title back in 2005.

“I am always looking forward to my trip here. It’s a good course which requires accurate shots off the tee. I am playing well and I hope to use my experience for a strong result,” said the 44-year-old Lu, who won the Macau Open last month.

“I came close to winning in Macau a few times before and finally struck it right this year. I did not do anything spectacular but used my experience to see me through the win which is what I hope to do here as well,” added Lu, who finished fourth last year.

Singapore’s Mardan also heads into Koh Samui high in confidence after his joint second place finish in Wales on Sunday.

“I am feeling good about my game especially after my performance in Wales last week. I handled myself well mentally and I hope to apply the same approach this week,” said Mardan.

“The Santiburi Samui Country Club is in excellent shape. The rough is not as thick as last year. The conditions of the greens are good too,” added the Singaporean.

The other top players vying for honours are Filipino young gun Juvic Pagunsan, last year’s Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year, Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat and Chinarat Phadungsil and Australia’s Unho Park.

June 6, 2007

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