Three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand is hopeful his good run of form on European soil will continue when the €2.1 million Omega European Masters tees off next week.
The Omega European Masters is the first event in Europe to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour since 2009 and will once again be played at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club from August 30 to September 2.
The Thai ace is confident he can mount a serious challenge in Europe again after receiving a huge confident boost when he claimed his first victory in the continent at the ISPS Handa Wales Open in June.
That victory was made even sweeter as it came after injuries had curtailed his season last year where he only had one top-10 to his name.
“My feeling is confident after Wales. I’ve been on the leaderboards on two or three other occasions since then. I think I have learned how to play in the weather (in Europe) and my putting is also confident,” said Thongchai.
“I have always dreamt of winning in Europe and now, I’ve got it. I’ve got two more years of exemption and I can concentrate on winning more tournaments,” added the Thai, who finished fifth in Crans in 2009.
Thongchai, who holds an unprecedented three Order of Merit titles and 13 career victories in Asia, will spearhead a strong Asian challenge at the Swiss Alps which will also feature his countryman Thaworn Wiratchant, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, a three-time Asian Tour winner and Bangladesh’s Siddikur.
India’s Anirban Lahiri, who enjoyed a memorable debut at the British Open last month by finishing tied 31st, and countryman Jeev Milkha Singh will also shoot for glory at the Omega European Masters.
At 45 years old, Thaworn proved that old is gold when he tied Thongchai for the most number of wins on the Asian Tour with his 13th victory at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
While younger upstarts are beginning to make their mark in the game, Thaworn knows that he has the mental edge and experience over his rivals on the course.
“My experience helps with the mental game. It helps me calm down and not get nervous or give pressure to myself. I can control that,” said Thaworn.
The unorthodox swinger, whose self-taught game led him to become Asia’s number one in 2005 – the year he won four times across the region will relish the opportunity to emulate Thongchai’s success in Europe when the Omega European Masters gets underway.
South African Jbe Kruger, who currently leads the Order of Merit, will also feature in the stellar field that includes major champions such as Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, New Zealand’s Michael Campbell and South Africa’s Retief Goosen.
By Indian Sports News Network
