Thongchai wants to make century mark in Qatar

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee hopes to celebrate his 100th appearance on the Asian Tour this week by delivering the region's first victory at the star-studded US$2.2 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

The two-time Asian number one reaches a new milestone in his illustrious career at the Qatar Masters, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and the Thai star knows that success in the Gulf nation will be a sweet way to mark his week.

Additionally, Thongchai is dreaming of a second appearance at the US Masters in April and with his present world ranking of 76, he has a fighting chance of earning a spot at Augusta National after making his debut last year.

"I'm happy that this is my 100th event in Asia," said Thongchai today. "I've been on the Asian Tour for seven years now and the Tour has helped me a lot. I've learnt a lot and gained experience by playing on this Tour.

"It's been very good for me and I'm grateful. I've had the opportunity to play in big events through the Asian Tour and had the chance to play with big-name players which have helped my career.

"I'm thinking of the US Masters all the time. I want to try to get into the world's top-50 (which will earn him an exemption). I want to play in Augusta National again. My plan now is to improve on my world ranking. I have to play well this week and in the upcoming weeks," added the two-time Asian Tour number one.

Thongchai will maintain a busy playing schedule and with a series of co-sanctioned tournaments lined up over the next two months, he is feeling optimistic. "I always feel confident in Asia. After playing in Augusta last year, it wasn't enough. I want to play there again as the more you play, the more you can learn how to score," said Thongchai, who won the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia on home soil last month.

His bid for glory at the daunting Doha Golf Club will see him pit his talent against the likes of defending champion Henrik Stenson, Major champions Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Michael Campbell and Europe's Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey, who was victorious in the European Tour's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Sunday.

Asia's best players, led by last season's UBS Order of Merit winner Jeev Milkha Singh of India, will, like Thongchai, bid to end the region's title drought in the Qatar Masters. Since the event's inauguration in 1998, no Asian has won in Doha.

"I think it's because the event has always attracted top players," said Thongchai. "But since the event became co-sanctioned (in 2005), we've got half the field here and I think our chances will improve. Our players have become better through the years."

Reflecting on his impressive career in Asia where he is the top career-money earner and jointly holds the most number of wins in the region with eight triumphs, Thongchai said his most important victory was the Korean Open in 2000.

"I think the first win at the Korean Open in 2000 was the most important. I did not win for a while after turning pro but everything changed after that. I was not scared anymore. Before winning in Korea, I was lacking in confidence. Winning there showed me how to do it and how to play under pressure. My game got better from there onwards," said Thongchai.

Ultimately, Thongchai still harbours hope of playing on the US Tour. "I will try the US Qualifying School again this year. I would like to get my card there. That's my big goal, it's an important goal," he said.

"I would like to win a title in Europe as well this season. Jeev showed us last year that he could do it and we must try to follow him."

January 23, 2007