Paradorn Admits He Is Under Pressure As Pro Golfer

The former world No 9 tennis player who just made his first cut ever on a pro golf tour at home soil in Khon Kaen a fortnight ago and declared himself as a pro golfer afterwards hit a dismal 10 over par 152. He missed the cut of two-over-par 144 in his debut competition as a pro.

“I was a bit excited playing my first time as a professional golfer. Actually the tournament took place at the Laem Chabang International Golf Course where I practice very often but the result was not quite good. It was a bit disappointing after playing quite OK in the previous circuit in Khon Kaen,” said Paradorn who finished at 53 rd in the Khon Kaen’s All Thailand Tour.

“Actually I was playing quite OK on the second day but I hit so many over pars in the first day and I had to accept that,” added the 37-year-old who retired from tennis in 2010 due to injuries.

Paradorn said he was under pressure now that he is a pro golfer. But he admitted a long road lies ahead of him to be able to catch up with other players.

“I’m playing the All Thailand Golf Tour all the time through exempt. What made the difference was there is no longer the amateur status after my name. From now on I have to improve my performance as this is still my fourth year on the tour.

I still need more time to develop skills and hope that after I gain more experience I can produce better results.”

In tennis the opponent is on the opposite side of the net. But in golf Paradorn said he has only himself to compete with.

“It’s more like competing against yourself. You want to do your best to produce your best scores and cannot control what the other players can do.

“This is a good opportunity to play alongside the good players and try to learn from them. I have to gain more and more experience until I develop my skills to another level to achieve better results.”