RELATED STORIES Chapchai aims to take his game global Chapchai claims Vietnam victory with birdie burst Chapchai wants masterly performance in Vietnam Chapchai earns praise from Mickelson and Scott Chapchai to play with Mickelson and Scott Chapchai's Order Of Merit charge halted Chapchai raring to go after summer of meditation Chapchai Nirat gains maiden Tour victory at TCL MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia

Chapchai looks for birthday boost at Bangkok Airways

Thai hotshot Chapchai Nirat will be hoping for a slice of birthday luck to rejuvenate his form when he tees off at the Bangkok Airways Open next week.

The big-hitting Chapchai has not been able to produce his best form this year which has been a far cry from his outstanding 2007 season which saw him win twice and chalk up seven top-10s on the Asian Tour.

Despite his slow start to his 2008 campaign, Chapchai is hoping to secure his first win of the season when he tees off the opening round on his 25th birthday at the treacherous Santiburi Samui Country Club.

Chapchai will face a hosts of proven champions in the US$300,000 event. Former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant, Chinese Taipei veteran Lu Wen-teh, India’s Gaurav Ghei, former US PGA Tour player Scott Hend and defending champion Lee Sung of Korea will be amongst those vying for the top prize.

Chapchai, who won the TCL Classic in China and Hana Bank Vietnam Masters last year, has been slow to come out from the blocks this season where he made the cut in only one out of the first six events competed.

But he will be counting on his top-10 performance at the Pine Valley Beijing Open achieved two weeks ago to give his season a boost and rekindle his form in front of his home fans in Samui island.

The Bangkok Airways Open will be the second Thai event to be staged on the Asian Tour this season and with the mid-year break fast approaching, Chapchai, who was the ‘Birdie King’ of 2007, will be eager to become the first Thai winner of the 2008 season.

His biggest threat is expected to come from the par-72 Samui course which is deemed as one of the toughest courses on the Asian Tour and nicknamed the “Samui Beast”. But the burly Thai hopes to improve on his track record and better his top-10 performance from last year.

Deaf-born Lee will be riding on similar goals. Unable to reproduce his solid campaign from 2007, Lee will be faced with an uphill task of a successful title defence by having to conjure up four solid rounds at Samui.

Thaworn will be eager to capitalise on the tricky course which favours strong iron play over long hitters. The 2006 winner Chawalit Plaphol will also return to the holiday isle together with in-form Chinese Taipei star Lin Wen-tang. Lin will be determined to continue his Thai conquest after a successful run at the Asian Tour International at Pattana in March.

May 29, 2008