Thongchai and Kiradech ready for challenge
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Thailand’s top two golfers Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat will gun for glory as golf returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 at the par71, 7,128yard Olympic Golf Course tomorrow.
World No 43 Thongchai and No 60 Kiradech had a couple of practice rounds in Rio since Monday. Both went to the US to play the PGA Championship and flew straight to Brazil.
Thongchai will be in the same flight as world No 5 and favourite Henrik Stenson of Sweden, the current British Open winner, and 28th ranked Spaniard Rafael CabreraBello and teeoff at 9.09pm Bangkok time. Kiradech will be playing alongside Malaysia’s Gavin Green and Japan’s Shingo Katayama at 6.25pm Bangkok time.
“Having Stenson in the same group makes me nervous. He is at the top of his form. I need to concentrate on my game and try to shoot low scores,” said the eighttime European Tour winner.
Kiradech, who has three European Tour titles under his belt, said wind will be a big factor on the links course. “It’s quite windy. I need to be prudent and stick to my game plan. I will try to finish at a good position in the Games.”
British Open winner Ariya Jutanugarn and Pornanong Phatlum will represent the country in the women’s competition, which starts on August 17. Pornanong had won a nonofficial LPGA event, Brazil Cup in 2012.
“I have a minor back injury but I am not bothered about it. Links course is not my favourite. It’s probably because I don’t get to play on such courses. I have to hit straight and be very accuฌrate with my putts,” Pornanong said.
