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Prayad begins Masters preparation in India

Thai stalwart Prayad Marksaeng will be preparing for his dream outing at the US Masters with an appearance at the inaugural EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters this week.

The in-form Prayad, who returns to India since his last competitive outing in the country nine years ago, will be eager to continue his rich vein of form at the Delhi Golf Club.

Prayad had previously ended his Asian Tour campaign on a high note last year winning the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in December and a month later was invited to play in the US Masters.

“It’s been a balancing act for me as I have been focusing my game on the Asian Tour and in Japan over the years but to return to India is nice.

“I ended the year with a win in Thailand last year and then I won a local event after that. Then in mid January, I got a call and was invited to play in the US Masters. I was ecstatic as it has been a truly fantastic ride for me.

“Given an invite to play in the Masters is a dream come true for me and I hope to compete in as many events as possible to get myself into gear in preparation for my Major outing,” said Prayad, who will be the third Thai to compete at Augusta after Sukree Onsham and Thongchai Jaidee.

Besides his win at the season-ending event, the 42-year-old Thai star produced six other top-10s on the Asian Tour and chalked up seven top-10s in Japan.

Hoping to ride on the form that brought him success last year, the Hua-hin based Thai will be determined to get started on the right note at the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters.

“Coming back here after a long time is nice. The last time I was here, I competed at the national Open nine years ago where I finished runner-up. It was held at a different venue but I hope to ride on those memories for a good outing here at the Delhi Golf Club,” said Prayad, who also hopes to climb up the world rankings.

“This is the first event on the Asian Tour and I would like to have a solid opening event and be right up there on the money list. My overall plan is to focus on making the top-50 on the world rankings. If I can keep to that goal, than my position on the Asian Tour and Japan money list will take care of itself.”

Prayad will be among the array of Thai players competing this week that include Chapchai Nirat, who finished second on the money list last year, Chawalit Plaphol and Prom Meesawat.

February 6, 2008