Why more farang than Thai players in Thailand Open?
It is not very often that when I watch golf, there will be tears in my eye after that. This happened last Sunday when our very own Prayad Marksaeng won the Thailand Open for the first time in his life.
It was very emotional as only two other Thais have achieved this feat previously Suthep Meesawat and Boonchu Ruangkit and I was so very proud to see a third Thai and a very nice guy too to win the King’s Trophy.
My fullest congratulations to Prayad who will be an inspiration to many other Thai young golfers who will want to grow up to be like him. Prayad has won many times on the Asian Tour and Japan Tour and is truly a golf icon for Thailand along the likes of Boonchu, Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant.
It was a fantastic achievement and I hope to see more Thai golfers have the chance to win the Thailand Open in the future. It was however disappointing to see that only 25 Thai players had the opportunity to play in the Thailand Open last week. I believe that Thailand players must be given every opportunity to play.
I am wondering if the Thailand Golf Association decision to hold the tournament on this OneAsia Tour and Japan Tour is a very good move. I find it incredible to believe that there were 40 Japanese players in the Thailand Open, more than our own local players in the field and another 30+ Australian/New Zealand players who play at Thana City. How come there are more foreigners that Thais?
I think this is not good for the development of golf in Thailand as we certainly need to have more Thailand players play in our own tournaments in Thailand.
Congratulations to Prayad again for his wonderful victory.
Regards,
Sompon Ingradit
