Thailand young gun Chapchai Nirat had world number two Phil Mickelson and defending champion Adam Scott singing his praises after the first round of the US$4 million Barclays Singapore Open on Thursday.

Chapchai, currently flying high in fourth place on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, shot a blemish-free 70 over the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

The 24-year-old first came to prominence in the Singapore Open two years ago when he was co-leader after the first round and he served notice on Thursday that he will be a serious challenger this week.

Chapchai, nicknamed “King Kong” for his long-hitting game, impressed both three-time Major champion Mickelson and two-time Singapore Open winner Scott with his length of the tee and sweet swing.

The Thai, winner of the European Tour co-sanctioned TCL Classic in China earlier this year, carded 17 pars and a single birdie at the 18th (his ninth hole of the day).

“Phil Mickelson chatted to me a bit. He asked me if I was going to be eligible for any of the World Golf Championship events next year. He also told me I hit a long ball and that made me happy,” said Chapchai.

Mickelson, making his debut in the Barclays Singapore Open, said: “I was very impressed with him as a player. Very solid as a golfer and hits the ball a long way. He drove it straight and long, hit some wonderful iron shots and hit some great putts that lipped out. I think he played better than his score and he still shot under par. I think he’ll have a good tournament too.”

The American superstar, a three-time Major champion, has been pleasantly surprised with the standard of golf in Asia, and how the organisers have set up the Serapong Course.

“It’s interesting. I didn’t realise how many good players were here in Asia. I noticed it on the driving range, I noticed it on the putting greens and I noticed it when I played with Chapchai that he is a world class player.

“He can easily play the PGA Tour and do very well. He should be playing in the World Golf Championships and the Majors as I feel he is so talented. I think there are number of players like that who have impressed me as golf has become so global and there are so many good players on a global players. I haven’t been made aware of how good the golf is good in Asia. These players are strong,” said Mickelson.

Scott said that Chapchai had the game “to go all the way.”

“I was very impressed with Chapchai. Obviously I’ve seen him here in the last couple of years but I haven’t played with him before,” he commented.

“I’m very impressed by his swing, smooth all the way through the ball. He’s a very solid ball striker and he’s strong. He hits it a long way too. I certainly think he’s got the game to go all the way.”

Chapchai overcame early nerves to match the score of playing partner Scott and lie just two behind Mickelson.

“I am very, very happy. I was a little bit nervous at the start playing with Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson but it was a great experience,” he said. “I tried not to be nervous but I did feel a bit at the start. I tried to talk to my caddy a lot to release the pressure.

“My plan was just to keep the ball in play and that succeeded quite well. I hit 80 per cent of the fairways today and that was the key.”

Fellow Thai Chinarat Phadungsil had a special 19th birthday treat playing with three-time major winner Vijay Singh and Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke.

Chinarat, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour including victory as an amateur at the 2005 Double A International in Thailand, shot a 73 but enjoyed his day with the stars.

“Both of them wished me happy birthday at the start, which was nice,” said Chinarat. “Vijay is such a great player and it was wonderful to be paired with him – it was a great experience and I learned a lot today.”

American Anthony Kang, joint sixth in the 2005 and 2006 Singapore Opens, continued his lover affair with the Serapong Course with a two-under-par 69. Kang, a two-time winner in Asia, had five birdies and three bogeys in his morning round for joint fourth place with Gary Simpson of Australia.

November 1 , 2007

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