Prom aiming at Singapore top three finish

Thailand 's Prom Meesawat, nicknamed the ‘Big Dolphin', is hoping to make another splash at the US$4 million Barclays Singapore Open from November 1-4.

The talented 23-year-old recorded top-10 finishes at Sentosa Golf Club in 2005 and last year and he is targeting a top-three spot to climb up the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

He knows that a repeat performance will ease some of the strain after an up-and-down season on the Asian and Japan Tours.

“If I finish in the top three it will make a big difference to my ranking,” said Prom,who finished a creditable third in last season's rankings but is currently 25th with US$102,996 in winnings from 11 events.

Prom scooped US$94,500 after rounds of 72-70-70 saw him finish joint sixth last year following his tied eighth place in 2005 and he realises that the increase of US$1 million in the prize fund could completely change the complexion of the merit race.

“If I play well in Singapore I could get into the top three, it is a huge incentive,” said the burly Prom, whose weight hovers around the 110kg- mark. “I could turn round my whole year.”

Prom said that the revamped Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club does not really suit his game but that straight hitting off the tee kept him in contention in 2005 and last year.

“I have to admit it is not my favourite course,” he revealed. “But I have played well there two times. There is no big secret, you just have to hit it straight with your driver. Both years the conditions were tough with long rough so you had to find the fairway.”

Prom, the son of a golf professional, registered his breakthrough win on the Asian Tour in 2006 with victory in the SK Telecom Open but the expected surge has not materliased this season.

He has largely split his playing time between the Asian and Japan Tours with occasional forays further afield.

His best finish was second in the Sega Sammy Cup behind Toru Taniguchi in Japan that earned him a career-high US$130,662 in winnings.

Prom, whose putting can be patchy, will have to be at the top of his game to maintain his scoring record at the Barclays Singapore Open, widely regarded as the Major of Asia.

Six players in the world's top 20 will be in the field of dreams including two-time defending champion Adam Scott of Australia, American lefthander Phil Mickelson, last year's runner-up Ernie Els of South Africa, South Korea's Choi Kyung-ju, twice a winner on the US PGA Tour this season, reigning US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Fiji's Vijay Singh.

China 's Liang Wen-chong, currently leading the UBS Order of Merit and the best Asian performer in last year's Barclays Singapore Open, will spearhead the challenge from the Asian Tour.

October 19, 2007

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