VOLVO MASTERS OF ASIA RELATED STORIES Volvo Masters of Asia home page Preview: Liang is looking for double happiness Round 1: Strange goes two ahead with opening 65 Round 1: Late birdies keep Chapchai in OoM hunt Round 2: Pagunsan and Hend lead, as Chapchai keeps his hopes alive Round 2: Chapchai heaps the pressure on Liang Round 3: Pagunsan opens four shot lead with a 66 Round 3: Chapchai concedes Merit race to Liang Round 4: Prayad birdies 72nd hole to win Final Scores & Prize Money About the Thai CC course Five to watch this week Order of Merit showdown in Bangkok 2007 stats crowns on the line at Volvo Masters Thongchai wants a Royal celebration victory Thai stars out to win for K. Supphaporn 2006 flashback - One tournament, two champions Thongchai going for Volvo Masters double delight Kapur is looking for second Volvo victory Minoza wants to step up a gear at Volvo Volvo Masters course will test Asia's finest Volvo Masters of Asia to stay at Thai Country Club Volvo Masters of Asia gets prize money boost Volvo Masters of Asia 2006 home page Full details of the Thai Country Club ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

Thai stars out to win for K. Supphaporn

Let’s win the Volvo Masters of Asia for our mentor, Khun Supphaphorn.

That’s the call from the Thai players in the elite field for the season finale at Thai Country Club this week.

Everybody associated with Thai golf was saddened by the recent death of Supphaphorn Maphungphong, the driving force behind the careers of many of the country's leading professionals. He was 62.

Supphaphorn, the Director of Sports for Singha Corporation and the first chairman of the Asian PGA in 1995, was heavily involved with golf development in Thailand and had just returned from running a training camp for junior players when he died at his Bangkok home.

“It would be great to have the support of Supphaphorn behind me when I compete at the Volvo Masters of Asia,” said former Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant.

“He was a great golfer and is well known by every Thai player. I used to call him up for advice every time I competed in big events outside of Asia.

“He guided me along the way. I will miss his presence and guidance in that way. We got together just before he passed away so it was quite shocking for me to hear the news.”

Thaworn, the winner of a record nine events on the Asian Tour dating back to 1996, added that all eight Thai players competing in the Volvo Masters of Asia shared the desire to honour Supphaphorn’s memory with a victory.

“Every Thai player will want to show their best at the Volvo Masters of Asia,” he commented. “I’m sure Khun Supphaphorn will not only be supporting me but will be behind all the Thai players this week.

“I hope to be inspired knowing that he will be in our thoughts that week. I will be pushing for a win at the Volvo Masters of Asia.”

Young gun Prom Meesawat agreed that the Thai contingent would be motivated to play that bit better in memory of Khun Supphaphorn.

“It would be good to win the trophy and dedicate it to him," said the 23 year old. "He did so much for golf in Thailand. The day before he passed away he took all the (promising) young players to Bangpra Golf Club to practice. "When I was starting out in my career he gave me a lot of support. All the Thai boys want to win for him this week."

December 5, 2007