Thaworn chasing win no. 8 in Manila

Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant will spearhead a parade of champions chasing for glory in the US$300,000 Philippine Open at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club from February 1-4.

The short-game wizard, Asia's number one in 2005, will shoot for a first Philippine Open title in his attempt to add to his joint record haul of eight career victories on the Asian Tour.

Other reputable Thais in the mix at Asia's eldest national Open include five-time winner Prayad Marksaeng, two-time champion Chawalit Plaphol and talented Prom Meesawat, third in last year's UBS Order of Merit.

Title holder Scott Strange of Australia will certainly face a stern test to his defence as no fewer than six other winners from the 2006 Schedule are slated to tee up at the fabled East course at Wack Wack.

Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei, Australia's Kane Webber, South African veteran Hendrik Burhmann and Anton Haig, England's Chris Rodgers and Korea's Suk Jong-yul will be shooting for the US$47,550 top cheque.

Also included in the field is the recent Pakistan Open champion Airil Rizman Zahari of Malaysia.

Thaworn enjoyed his career best season two years ago when he won a record four titles en route to winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit for the first time in his career. The Thai failed to repeat his winning performances last year but still produced an impressive collection of six top-10s and finished ninth on the UBS Order of Merit.

One of the hardest working players on Tour, Thaworn came desperately close to winning the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia on home soil but slipped out of the title race coming down the stretch to eventually finish fourth. He also enjoyed a memorable debut at the British Open at Royal Liverpool, moving into the top-10 at the halfway stage before settling for tied 31st place.

"Performance wise, it's been good. I've had a lot of top finishes and being inside the top-15 of the Order of Merit is a good achievement. I was proud with the way I played at the British Open," said Thaworn.

"It was good being number one. At least I can say that I've been the Asian Tour number one once in my career."

With a combined eight victories between Prom, Prayad and Chawalit, the terrific Thai trio are poised to contend at Wack Wack.

The burly Prom, nicknamed the "Big Dolphin" due to his physique and because he lives in the coastal town of Hua Hin, has made a huge splash since turning professional in 2004.

He enjoyed his career breakthrough last season, winning the SK Telecom Open in Korea, where he defeated a field that included Korean superstar Choi Kyung-ju, last season's UBS Order of Merit number one Jeev Milkha Singh of India and teenage female star Michelle Wie.

Prom also posted four other top-10s, including a play-off loss to compatriot Chinarat Phadungsil in the Crowne Plaza Open in China. His ultimate goal will be to qualify for the US PGA Tour.

“I wanted to win (last year) and I have achieved that - my career is on track,” said Prom, who also secured his playing rights in Japan through Qualifying School.

"I want to try and get my card for Japan and then play on the PGA Tour in America. That is my goal.”

January 23, 2007