Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng booked his place for the British Open after a one stroke triumph at the Mizuno Open on Sunday.

The in-form Thai will have a chance to redeem himself after the US Masters when he sealed his win in Japan thanks to a final birdie putt on the 18th hole for a superb six-under-par 65 at the Yomiuri Country Club.

Prayad had competed in the US Masters in April but he was forced to withdraw after nine holes in the second round due to a back injury.

The Hua Hin-based player will now relish his trip to Royal Birkdale with renewed strength eager to compete in his second Major of the year. It will also be the Thai’s second appereance at the British Open since his maiden outing in 1999.

It was back-to-back triumph for Prayad in Japan this year having previously lifted the Mitsubishi Diamond Cup title three weeks ago.

The maiden success in Japan kept Prayad in the leading fray as he returned to the Asian Tour a week later and almost produced a similar result at the Bangkok Airways Open where he finished in a tie for third place.

At the Yomiuri Country Club last week, Prayad remained on target firing a 69, 66, 69 and a 65 in the final round for a winning tota of 15-under-par 269. He enjoyed a narrow one stroke win over local talent Azuma Yano who posted a similar score on the final day.

Prayad will join Malaysia’s Danny Chia, Angelo Que of the Philippines, Adam Blyth of Australia and Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing who all earned their place at the British Open by making the cut at the qualifiers in March.

June 23, 2008

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