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Thawon set for title defence in Singapore
Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant has the mega-rich Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club next month firmly in his sights as he aims for the top of Asian golf.
The 38-year-old Thaworn currently leads the race to be Asia's number one and knows that a good finish in the US$2 million Singapore Open over the renowned Serapong course from September 8-11 is vital to his campaign.
Thaworn, who has one of the most photographed swings in the Asian golf scene, banked US$328,479 in the first half of the Asian Tour season and leads the Order of Merit by a little under US$60,000 from countryman Thongchai Jaidee, the leading player last year.
The talented Thaworn became the second Thai, after Thongchai, to win a European Tour event when he lifted the joint-sanctioned Indonesia Open in March. He is likely to play the majority of the remaining 13 Asian Tour ranking events as he chases his dream of topping the moneylist ahead of Thongchai and Jyoti Randhawa of India, who lies third with US$184,120.
Thaworn is well aware that the Singapore Open, the richest national Open in Asia thanks to a big boost in prize money, could prove pivotal in the battle for Asian supremacy. The winner of the Singapore Open will pick up US$315,000 with US$216,000 going to the runner up and US$121,000 to the third place finisher.
“There is such a big prize (for first place) at the Singapore Open - it is important that I do well,” said Thaworn. “I have not played (the Serapong Course) at Sentosa Golf Club and I hear that it can get very windy, which is not good for my game. But I will try for a good result. I have a big chance to win the Order of Merit - this might be the one opportunity I get in my career to be Asia's number one.”
Thaworn broke a five-year victory drought with a stunning win in the 2001 Singapore Open, the last time the event was staged, and believes that the feel-good factor will help his bid to retain the trophy. “That win changed everything for me - I had struggled for many years, particularly with my driving,” said Thaworn, who used the US$48,450 in winnings as a down payment on a new house.
“I will have some pressure on me as defending champion (this time) but there is also the memory of how the Singapore Open helped my career.” The Singapore Open is a full-field tournament on the Asian Tour and there is a huge buzz of excitement amongst the players as they prepare to shoot for the richest ever prize in a standalone event.
Although Thaworn is more than US$230,000 ahead of 10th placed Wang Ter-chang in the Order of Merit, the spoils of victory at the Singapore Open are so big that there is everything to play for. “Anyone is still a chance (to win the Order of Merit),” said Singapore-based Australian Scott Barr, who lies fifth with winnings of US$143,731. “Whoever wins the Singapore Open will be the favourite.”
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