THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Veteran Thongchai sacrifices  European event for Royal Cup

Veteran Thongchai sacrifices  European event for Royal Cup

Former world No 27 Thongchai Jaidee has his eyes firmly fixed on the Royal Cup title as he makes his first apperance in a home tournament in seven months at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.

The 48-year-old former Thai No 1, now languishing at 351 in the world after an injury-plagued season, is one of the local strong contenders to challenge for the trophy of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn in the country’s biggest Asian Tour event with a total US$500,000 prize money.
“I’m glad to come back and play at home. Normally tournaments in Thailand always clash with my overseas programme. But this week I decided to give up a European Tour event to play here. I want to see if there’s any improvement in terms of the organisation of tournaments in Thailand, ” said the winner of nine European and 13 Asian Tour titles.


This will be Thongchai’s first event in Thailand since he finished in a tie for 27th in a small Asian Development Tour event in Nakhon Ratchasima in December. 
He will try to become the fourth Thai to win big international tournaments at home this year after Panophol Pittayarat (Thailand Open in May), Kanyaluck Preedasuttijit (Ladies European Thailand Championship in June) and Jazz Janewattananond (Queen’s Cup in June).
“This tournament is special as it’s named the Royal Cup to honour His Majesty the King,” added Thongchai,m who will be seeking his first title since the Open de France in July 2016.  “All Thai players would love to come back home to take part and show our support to the tournament.”

Veteran Thongchai sacrifices  European event for Royal Cup
The veteran is also looking to end the long wait for a home victory, the last one being the 2006 Masters of Asia, his only victory inside the Kingdom.
“Every tournament I play the goal is to win but it won’t be easy. There are 156 good players and all are ready to go. It all depends who has the best opportunity this week,” said the three-time Asian Tour No 1.
“The course is set up in pretty good condition. Having a good game plan is crucial as this is not a long course. It will be battle on the greens, which are quite tough with a lot of slopes.”
Also making a rare home appearance is teen prodigy Pachara Kongwatmai, 19, who won the  Singha Masters in Chiang Rai, in March, his only appearance in Thailand this year.
“You need to make good putts and set up some good positions from the fringe of the greens,” said Pachara, whose best result on the European Tour was a tie for 12th at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
“At this point I want to make the cut first and set a higher goal if I make it to the weekend.”
The tournament starts this morning and will be broadcast live on True Sport HD 3 from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
 

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