Chapchai rises to third on Order of Merit

Chapchai’s feat at the TCL Classic in Sanya is a true testament to the smooth flow of new champions emerging from a nation that has produced multiple winners such as veteran Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng.

The burly Thai earned US$166,660 for his efforts last week and at the age of 23, the young talent has already accumulated US$206,033 this season. South African Anton Haig, who won the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket, stays on top of the UBS Order of Merit with total earnings of US$426,035 while China’s Liang Wen-chong, the winner of the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters two weeks ago, remains in second spot with US$303,747.

Chapchai’s steady rise to fame this season, which includes top-10 results in the Philippines and Indonesia, is due to the support of his more experienced compatriots over the past few years. Since turning pro at the young age of 15, Chapchai has gained valuable tips from the seasoned Thai players and enjoyed a solid rookie year in 2005 where he challenged Thaworn for the title at the Taiwan Open before finishing second.

Boonchu, Thaworn, Thongchai and Prayad have also been the guiding force for other young stalwarts such as Chinarat Phadungsil and Prom Meesawat who have both attained similar stardom on the Asian Tour.

Chinarat lifted the Double A International Open title as an amateur in 2005 and thanks to his mentors who have been passing down the knowledge, Chinarat claimed his second title on the Asian Tour at the Crowne Plaza Open last year.

After his breakthrough win at the SK Telecom Open in Korea in 2006, Prom is also primed to remain in contention this season as he has already chalked up a top-10 performance in Malaysia last month.

The third young Thai talent to follow suit in 2007 was Chapchai as his maiden triumph in Sanya was lauded by Asian Tour’s Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han who believes that the result is a signal of a new generation of Thai champions in the region.

“Chapchai’s victory in the TCL Classic is a real boost for the game in Asia and Thailand,” said Han.

“He’s only 23 years old and to already win a co-sanctioned tournament with Europe speaks highly of his capabilities and promise. I believe Chapchai can go on to excel on the international stage but he must continue to learn from each tournament and take it one step at a time,” he added.

With his dominant performance last week, Chapchai has followed in the footsteps of Thaworn and Thongchai as he emerged the third Thai player to win a co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event.

It is four wins in less than two years by the Thai trio, a feat that has been commended by Han who believes that the young guns have the potential to exceed the achievements of their ‘big brothers’ in the near future.

“Along with Prom and Chinarat, who are 24 and 18 respectively, Chapchai represent a new breed of emerging Thai players who look set to emulate, if not, better, the feats achieved by the likes of Boonchu, Thaworn, Thongchai and Prayad.

“A lot of credit goes to the old guard who have not only paved the way for the young players to shine through but have also been instrumental in their careers by playing the role of big brother to the new and young players,” admitted Han.

The Asian Tour now moves to Bintan, Indonesia for the first time to host the Motorola International Bintan at the Ria Bintan Golf Club which offers US$350,000 in total prize money.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20

Pos. Player Winnings (US$)

1. Anton HAIG (RSA) 426,035

2 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 303,747

3 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 206,033

4 Iain STEEL (MAS) 185,556

5 Simon DYSON (ENG) 176,240

6 Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 150,442

7 Shiv KAPUR (IND) 104,504

8 Gaurav GHEI (IND) 96,244

9 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 86,624

10 SUK Jong-yul (KOR) 84,830