Thai star Prayad Marksaeng will be hoping to reach greater heights when he tees off at the Bangkok Airways Open on Thursday.
Fresh from his win on the Japan Golf Tour last week, the 42-year-old hotshot will be eager to better his runner-up outing from last year at the Santiburi Samui Country Club.
“My result in Japan meant a lot to me. I want to be in the top-50 in the world and I will aim for another top finish here in Koh Samui so I can climb up even higher on the rankings,” said Prayad, who is currently ranked 85th in the world.
The Hua Hin-based player is on a roll heading into the US$300,000 Asian Tour event thanks to his win at the Mitsubishi Diamond Cup on Sunday where he had the support of his family. But returning to home soil, Prayad will be up against a top field that include former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant, defending champion Lee Sung of Korea, Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, Chinese Taipei veteran Lu Wen-teh and in-form compatriot Lin Wen-tang and Australia’s Adam Blyth, who finished in the top-10 last season.
It was a rewarding return to form for Prayad after a disappointing campaign at the US Masters in April when he was forced to retire due to a back injury. Despite being struck with a second injury to his right shoulder last week, Prayad is confident of a strong showing.
“My back pain is still there but it does not affect my game anymore. It’s been really hectic for me in the past one week and I feel like I have not rested well. But I am in very good form now so I hope to ride on that here.
“The trophy was really heavy and I injured my shoulder while lifting it on Sunday. I am going for some treatment now and hopefully it does not affect my game as this golf course requires near perfect shots and can be very unforgiving,” added Prayad, who admires the talent of teenager Pornanong Phatlum, who is the tournament’s first ever female player.
“She is a very talented player and I think she can do well here. It will be a great deal for her to tee it up alongside the men and if she can focus on her game and not be intimidated by the other players, she has the ability to produce low scores,” he admitted.
Soaking in the atmosphere on the holiday isle of Koh Samui is the18-year-old Pornanong who was pleased to reunite with some of her golfing friends this week.
“The atmosphere here is great. There are so many good players around and I’m excited and nervous at the same time. It’s nice to meet up with my friends like Wisut (Artjanawat), Panuwat (Muenlek) and Pornsakon (Tipsanit). I’ve had a taste of the course on Monday and it’s playing really long for me. But I will put my head down and hope to learn from the other players for a good result,” said Pornanong, who will be eager to become the second female player to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour. American Michelle Wie was the first female player to make the weekend rounds at the SK Telecom Open in 2006.
Brisbane-based Blyth believes that a cool head coupled with a confident game will steer him through a solid run on the course deemed as the ‘Beast of Samui.’
“This is a very relaxing place to be playing golf. I’ve done some good preparation in the gym so I feel confident about my game. I’m also quite pleased with my performance this year.
“The key this week is to trust my shots and hit it well throughout the 18 holes. Patience is also as important as this course can also be a real test to my mental game,” said Blyth, who booked his place for the British Open during the qualifiers in March.
