Thaworn aiming to repeat 2005 Indonesia victory

Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant returns to the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open starting on Thursday with the aim of repeating his glorious 2005 victory at Cengkareng Golf Club.

The former Asian Tour number one holds fond memories of his emphatic triumph at the par-70 Cengkareng course following a superb 25-under-par 255 winning total.

Thaworn will be looking for a record 10th career victory in the US$1.2 million co-sanctioned event between the Asian Tour and European Tour. Other contenders in this week's field include defending champion Mikko Ilonen of Finland, Ryder Cup stalwarts Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley and last season's Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Liang Wen-chong of China.

While Thaworn dreams of hoisting the Indonesia trophy once again, he believes he will have to work harder on his tee shots following several changes to the golf course.

“One of the par fives has been changed to a par four and also the course has become longer. I've not been very consistent with my drives recently but I hope to get it right when the tournament begins,” said the 41-year-old.

“Winning here in 2005 was good for me as I went on to win three more tournaments and won the Order of Merit title. I like this golf course but it's changed somewhat since we last played here.”

Following last week's stunning victory by India's S.S.P Chowrasia in the Emaar-MGF Indian Open, all eyes will be on the Asian Tour stars who will be chasing for a second triumph against their European counterparts.

McGinley, Europe's hero in the 2002 Ryder Cup, isn't surprised to see the rise of Asian players in recent times. He said that the standard of play has improved significantly in the region.

“I don't think that you can pinpoint one or two people anymore. You might have been able to do that five years ago but just look at the winner last week. It's so hard to pick a winner now because the field is so close in terms of ability,” said McGinley.

“I have a huge amount of respect for the Asian players in particular. I see how well they play and the scores they are producing and I have a lot of respect for those players as well as the guys from Europe that are here this week.”

Former Asian Tour number one Jeev Milka Singh of India will also be looking forward to make it two wins in a row for India when he tees up on Thursday.

“This course has been set up that way where you have to be putting well. Whoever putts well this week and drives the course well has got a very good chance to win,” said Singh, winner of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit in 2006.

“I can't pinpoint anybody but there is a lot of depth on the Asian Tour now. There are a lot of good players and I think anybody can win now,” added Singh.

Ilonen is looking forward to the challenge of defending his title which he won on a different course 12 months ago.

“Last year we had a lot of rain which made it difficult. But the course here looks very good and fair. The greens are tricky. There are some very long par fours but then there are also some very short holes on this course, so I think the scoring will be quite low this week – lower than it was last year,” said Ilonen.

The Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open is the second leg of the Asian Tour's 2008 Schedule . There are currently 28 events offering US$38 million in total prize money on the Asian Tour Schedule with several more tournaments to be announced in due course.

February 13, 2008

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