First home victory spurs Thaworn on for no. 11

Like vintage wine, Thaworn Wiratchant believes that getting on with age has only whetted his appetite for more golfing success and he has set his sight firmly on a record 11th Asian Tour victory.

The Thai ace coasted to a comfortable three-stroke triumph at the Bangkok Airways Open on Sunday to raise his unmatched career tally to 10.

Victory was particularly sweet as it was the first time that he had tasted an Asian Tour win on home soil but even before he popped the champagne bottle to celebrate his latest conquest, Thaworn was already eyeing the Tour’s next event, the Singha Thai PGA Championship presented by the Sports Authority of Thailand later this month.

“I’m happy with my 10th win and I will aim for number 11,” said Thaworn, who was the Asian Tour’s number one in 2005 after a record season where he won four times.

Thaworn, who possesses a unique but trusty golf swing, is living proof that golfing life extends well beyond the age of 40. He hit the magical number at the end of 2006 but has since won twice to dispel fears that he was well past his prime.

While he may not be as trim as previously, Thaworn said that he still works hard at his fitness and game to keep up with the younger generation of players.

“I thought I was getting too old to play on this course (Santiburi Samui Country Club) but I guess age is just a number now,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the rest of the year. My fitness level has improved and I know there is more in store for me. I’ve come to realise that I am not old when I’m playing against younger players as I have just played on a very tough course and won. I am still hungry for more wins and there is a lot left in me.

“It will be an exciting year ahead for me,” he said.

His winner’s cheque of US$47,550 lifted Thaworn into 14th place on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit with a season haul of US$141,358. New Zealand’s Mark Brown still leads the race to become Asia’s new number one with his earnings of US$651,093 following the completion of 13 events this season.

Thaworn’s record run marked a welcome return to form for Thai players, who have endured an inauspicious campaign on the Asian Tour this season.

Chapchai Nirat, who finished second on the Order of Merit last season, and Chinnarat Phadungsil enjoyed their best finish of the season, tying for third place with in-form Prayad Marksaeng, who had triumphed in Japan in the previous week.

Prayad, who is also into his 40s, endured a nightmarish quadruple bogey on the 16th hole during the final round as his hopes of challenging Thaworn evaporated on the course nicknamed the “Samui Beast”.

“My form is really good right now and I will not think too much on that one hole which cost me the tournament. I will work even harder to continue my rhythm and form,” said Prayad, who finished four strokes behind the champion.

The next event on the Asian Tour is the Singha Thailand PGA Championship which will be played at Santiburi Country Club Chiang Rai from June 26-29.

ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT – TOP 20 (click here for the full list):

Pos. Player Earnings (US$)

1. Mark BROWN (NZL) 651,093
2. Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 540,694
3. S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 439,930
4. Arjun ATWAL (IND) 419,387
5. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 280,985
6. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 256,643
7. LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 249,086
8. Kane WEBBER (AUS) 230,304
9. Taichiro KIYOTA (JPN) 217,163
10. Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 198,271
11. NOH Seung-yul (KOR) 186,173
12. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 164,377
13. Digvijay SINGH (IND) 152,781
14. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 141,358
15. Scott HEND (AUS) 139,979
16. Scott BARR (AUS) 134,001
17. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 127,004
18. Shiv KAPUR (IND) 121,294
19. HWANG Inn-choon (KOR) 118,577
20. Gaurav GHEI (IND) 116,489

June 9, 2008

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