2008 Asian Tour International - Rested Thongchai looks to bounce back

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee will be heading out with renewed strength this week hoping to return to familiar ground at the inaugural Asian Tour International on Thursday.

The two-time Asian Tour number one suffered a back injury late last month but he will be eager to shoot for glory at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort after a well rested week in preparation for the US$300,000 event.

Thongchai, with a proven track record in the region having chalked up eight Asian Tour titles, is on the right track to a full recovery after his five-day rest from the game last week. Since his last win on home soil at the 2006 Volvo Masters of Asia, Thongchai is now eager to return to the winner’s circle but he will be up against top contenders this week that include other local favourites Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng, big-hitting Australian Scott Hend, Malaysia’s Ben Leong, who will return on the same venue where he won the 2006 Qualifying School, India’s Gaurav Ghei and Filipino duo of Artemio Murakami and Juvic Pagunsan.

Thongchai had previously injured his back muscle a week before the Maybank Malaysian Open where he missed the cut but the Thai stalwart believes that his maiden outing at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort will swing him back to the leading fray.

“I could not play competitive golf last week as I wanted to rest. I had only three days of light practice. But it was all that I needed. I’m feeling really relaxed now, much better than before.

“The doctor said that if I feel good, I should go out and play. I would love to get back into contention again and put the injury behind me. But I have to be patient and continue to rest a lot. I know the time will come when I challenge for the title as I hope for the turnaround this week,” said the 38-year-old Thongchai, who tips the Thai young guns to shine this week.

“It’s great to have a new Asian Tour event here in Thailand. But even more so for the young Thai players who should take full advantage playing on home soil. Many of them have shown that they have the ability to win,” he added.

Thai youngster Prom Messawat surpassed the US$1 million in career earnings after his performance at the Ballantine’s Championship last week but a tendon injury to his neck has hindered his hopes of a solid showing in Pattaya.

“It is a great feat and I’ve enjoyed my time playing on the Asian Tour. But this week is expected to be slow for me. I woke up this morning, went to the gym and it was all fine. Then gradually I felt pain to the right tendon on my neck. It really hurts as I couldn’t even play my shoots off the tee during the practice round today. It is nice to have the Asian Tour International here in Thailand but it would be even nicer to win so I hope to recover fast and produce four solid round of golf,” said Prom, who won the 2006 SK Telecom Open beating an elite field that includes Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju.

Former US PGA Tour player Scott Hend will return with fond memories having finished runner-up at the 2006 Qualifying School which earned him full playing rights on the Asian Tour.

“We played Qualifying School here and I came second so it’s nice to be competing here again. I played here eight weeks ago with one of the Korean boys and had a round of golf. Luckily enough I found out that we are playing here this week so it worked out pretty well,” said Hend, who competed in three consecutive US Opens from 2004 to 2006.

“We are playing on a different back nine than the 2006 Qualifying School but it’s pretty much the same. My putting though has let me down but I’ve done some minor alteration to my clubs and changed back to my original putter so I hope for a turnaround.

“My family is here with me and they will be the priority so I will be spending a lot of time with them. I hope this will change my approach as I aim to be relaxed out there and score well,” admitted Hend.

March 18, 2008

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