Jazz hits all the right notes, driven for success
Shenzhen, China - Jazz Janewattananond believes his fine early-season form has placed him firmly on the path.
The Thai No 2 tees off as one of the genuine contenders for the Volvo China Open which starts on Thursday.
Jazz is currently in second place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings and has been on a red-hot streak since the end of 2018, notching seven top-five finishes in his last 11 events, dating back to last December.
The world No 72 got his season off to a flying start by winning his third Asian Tour title in Singapore and has already secured starts in the US PGA Championship in May and The Open Championship in July.
“I’m feeling really good coming into this week,” he said. “I’m having fun and enjoying myself. The Volvo China Open is a big event and a very good opportunity to regain my No 1 spot on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“The biggest reason why I’m playing so well is because of my new coach, Peter Cowen.
“I’ve been working with him since the middle of last year and things sort of clicked towards the end of the year and have been continuing since then.
“I owe my success to him. I’m very excited I will soon be playing the PGA Championship for the first time.
“I don’t know how I’m going to prepare myself for it yet as I heard the golf course is probably one of the toughest golf courses in America. I’m going there with an open mind and not expecting anything.
“It’s good to have options – because of my world ranking and wins I can choose which Tour I want to play and which tournament and courses I like to play in.
“I didn’t have much options in the past but now I have the flexibility of picking and choosing the best events for me.”
Jazz will be put to a stern test in China by a strong field that includes defending champion Alexander Bjork of Sweden, France’s Alexander Levy as well as the Chinese duo of Wu Ashun and Li Haotong, who is the highest ranked player at world-ranked No 39.
Li became the youngest winner of the tournament, aged 20 three years ago, and is the only player to have won the Volvo China Open twice, while Wu lifted the Volvo China Open trophy in 2015.
Frenchman Levy first won the title in 2014 when he cruised to a four-stroke victory at Genzon Golf Club, which is also this year’s host venue.
