Thongchai hopes to hit top gear in BMW Asian Open

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee is ‘hungry’ for success at this week’s US$2.3 million BMW Asian Open after enduring a frustrating injury-hit past few months.

The two-time Asian Tour number one aims to eclipse the stars of the game gathered at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club despite being short of practice following his latest bout with a back problem.

The BMW Asian Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association, will only be Thongchai’s third tournament of the 2008 season and he will face the likes of Henrik Stenson, title holder Raphael Jacquelin, Retief Goosen and Greg Norman.

“I’m hungry to play golf,” said Thongchai on the eve of the event. “I’ve only played two tournaments this year, so I’m eager to get my season going. I certainly hope to play good golf again. I know that I can still play and these problems that I’ve had are normal for a golfer.”

Thongchai, a winner of eight Asian Tour titles, was sidelined for two weeks after it was discovered that one of his discs in the lower back was out of position. Earlier in the season, he was struck by pneumonia and also a back problem.

“I’m 60 per cent right now. But it’s okay as I’m still able to play. I’m hitting it good but I’ll need to make sure that I go through my stretching exercises every day. I only started hitting golf balls again last Friday.

“You can’t let these things affect you. If you start thinking too much, you can lose everything. I’m trying to enjoy myself,” said Thongchai, who was tied second in the inaugural BMW Asian Open in 2001.

While he is delighted to return to action, Thongchai’s record at the par-72, 7,326 yard Tomson course isn’t the best as he has missed the cut here at the BMW Asian Open over the past three years. “I actually like the golf course. It will be important for me to make the cut to get some confidence going. The par three holes are tough here and the closing three holes are also difficult, so it will be interesting,” he said.

His compatriot Prayad Marksaeng, who played in his first Masters Tournament two weeks ago but retired in the second round due to injury, has showed up in the BMW Asian Open despite still not feeling his best.

“My back is okay after a good rest last week but I still have pain in my abdomen, which I’ve been told could be due to a slight muscle tear,” said Prayad.

He is adamant though to play and was rewarded with a pairing with Australian legend Greg Norman in the opening two rounds which he also enjoyed the privilege in the 2004 BMW Asian Open, the year he finished third here.

“He’s my hero,” said Prayad. “The first time I played with Greg was in 1996 in Dubai and after the round, he told me that I could become a world class player and signed an autograph for me,” recalled the Thai.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh is also looking to get his game into top gear after enjoying his best Major finish at the Masters where he placed tied 25th. “It’s an excellent golf course here, it suits my game,” said Singh, who has finished runner-up twice this season and is presently second on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

“You have to be a good ball striker and you have to drive the ball well here. I love this track. You have to manage yourself well especially if the winds are up like it is today. I’ve had some good finishes here in the past, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I am playing well and I’m looking forward to better tournaments in the near future,” said Singh.

Two-time Major winner Goosen has won twice previously in China and will be looking to lift his first BMW Asian Open title. Two years ago, the talented South African lost in a play-off to Stenson for the BMW International Open in Munich

“I feel my game is better and I am looking forward to getting out there and putting in a good performance,” said Goosen. “It is a good course, a good driving course. The landing areas are narrow. I am driving the ball well though.

“I lost in a play-off in Munich when Henrik won so hopefully I will be up there this week come Sunday.”

Other top players gathered for this week’s BMW Asian Open include 2004 champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and inaugural winner Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden, 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand and current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Mark Brown of New Zealand.

China’s Liang Wen-chong, the 2007 Asian Tour number one, and veteran Zhang Lian-wei will spearhead the local challenge.