Yangon, Myanmar: Arnond Vongvanij will refer to valuable notes kept safely on his mobile phone when he challenges for honours at the season-opening Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine next week.
 
The Thai rising star enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2012 highlighted by one victory and he revealed that the highs and lows of the year, including a tied fourth finish in last year’s Zaykabar Myanmar Open was well documented in his phone.
 
“I take notes after every tournament on my phone to remind myself what I learned from each tournament. That helps me from week to week. Most of the knowledge that I get is when I’m not playing good and trying to figure out how to make the cut when you’re not playing well. When you’re playing well, everything is easy,” said Arnond.
 
The slightly built Thai is strongly tipped to excel in the new 2013 Asian Tour season and he is determined to hold true to his mantra of staying patient at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club from February 21 to 24.
 
“One of the most important things I wrote on my phone was to remain very patient when things don’t go your way on the golf course. You try not to make it go your way. Try to make a few pars in a row and to give yourself chances and things will come around,” said the Thai.
 
His recipe for success was evident when he withstood the combined challenges from veterans Thaworn Wiratchant, the reigning Asian Tour number one, and Mardan Mamat to win the King's Cup on home soil in December.
 
“It was unexpected as Mardan and Thaworn were battling it out and I was three shots back going into the last round. I never thought I would win as they are veterans. I just kept trying to make birdies and somehow I ended up on top,” smiled the 25-year-old.
 
He suffered a minor setback when a back injury forced him to withdraw from the Thailand Golf Championship, where he was paired with Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson and Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa. He has resolved to get himself stronger as he will be playing a full season which includes the co-sanctioned events, thanks to his winner’s category.
 
“I want to get my back and lower body a lot stronger. I’m going to be playing and travelling a lot more in 2013 due to my winner’s status on Tour, so I want to be stronger and not have any more injuries like last year,” said Arnond.
 
Filipino Angelo Que is fast gaining reputation as a player who tees it up at an Asian Tour event without a practice round. Despite his unorthodox approach, Que finished 22nd on the Order of Merit with four top-10s.
 
Que knows he has to be at his best to win his fourth Asian Tour title as an elite field including Arnond, defending champion Kieran Pratt of Australia, Thaworn, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and Jonathan Moore of the United States are in the field.
 
“I didn’t play as well as I played in previous years but keeping your card and finishing in the middle of the pack on the Order of Merit is not bad. There are many younger kids now and the competition is getting tougher,” said Que.
 
“I think I can play better if I believe in myself. I need to start trusting in myself and my game,” added the jovial Filipino.