THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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King's Cup champ Arnond ready to tee up title defence

King's Cup champ Arnond ready to tee up title defence

Thailand's Arnond Vongvanij is buoyant about heading to the coastal town of Hua Hin to defend his title when the US$1-million King's Cup Golf Hua Hin tees off at the Black Mountain Golf Club from January 16-19.

Just over 12 months ago, Arnond savoured the winning feeling for the first time on the Asian Tour when he pipped veterans Mardan Mamat of Singapore and countryman Thaworn Wiratchant to the prestigious King’s Cup title.
Playing in the region’s premier Tour for the second consecutive year since turning professional in 2011, the 25-year-old is looking forward to mounting a strong defence at one of Thailand’s most prestigious sporting events, which recently inked a five-year agreement with the Asian Tour.
“This will be my first time defending a title and I guess I’m just going to enjoy that experience,” said Arnond.
Arnond’s career breakthrough in 2012 has given him the self-belief that he can go on to rival the best players in the region and win many more tournaments.
“I feel like I’m learning a lot and it’s starting to show. Once you win, you feel like you’ve accomplished something that everyone on the Asian Tour wants to do,” said Arnond. “Obviously, you want to continue winning and it’s definitely a nice stepping stone in my career,” added the affable Thai.
While he has benefited immensely from his career breakthrough on the Asian Tour, Arnond is hoping to end his 2013 season – the King’s Cup forms part of the 2013 Schedule – on a high note having endured several rough patches last year.
“My win gave me the opportunity to play in the bigger events like the co-sanctioned ones where I definitely gained lots of experience and I’ve benefited a lot from that,” said Arnond. “2013 was a little disappointing. I hit the ball a lot better than the previous year but the putts just wouldn’t drop. I was battling with Prayad [Marksaeng] at the Queen’s Cup but I wished I could have been in contention a little bit more,” added Arnond, who posted three top-10s in 2013.
Like other players who ply their trade on the region’s premier Tour, Arnond knows he has the opportunity to improve his game and become better. 
For the first time ever, the King’s Cup will be broadcast live over four rounds on the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches more than 180 countries and 640 million homes,
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