Thongchai Jaidee takes Thailand to Dubai

BY iseekgolf.com | European PGA Tour | 2004 Dubai Desert Classic | General | 02 Mar 2004

Former paratrooper Thongchai Jaidee, who recently became the first Thai player to win on the PGA European Tour, is among a pool of stars from the Asian, Japanese and Australasian Tours invited to compete in this week’s Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.

Jaidee, whose recent victory in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open was a milestone for Thai golf, will be joined from the Asian Tour in Dubai by fellow Thai player Thaworn Wiratchant.

In addition, Jarrod Moseley and Chris Downes have accepted an invitation from tournament main sponsors Dubai Aluminium to represent the Australasian Tour, with Shingo Katayama, Kiyoshi Murota and Katsumune Imai will carry the hopes of the Japanese Tour.

But after his stunning success in Malaysia, Jaidee will be the star attraction for followers of the game in golf-mad Asia. The 34-year-old performed well over the Majlis Course 12 months ago when he tied for ninth place and will be looking to improve on that showing when the 15th staging of the $2 million event gets underway on March 4. On his three previous visits, the diminutive Thai star has always finished in the top 30.

Jaidee’s Malaysian victory was his second in as many weeks following his triumph in the Myanmar Open on the Asian Tour this year, and his third in six starts having also won the Volvo Masters of Asia at the end of last year. The biggest payday of his career also earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA European Tour until the end of 2006.

Described by Colin Montgomerie as “the best Asian golfer I have ever played with”, Jaidee – the name means “good heart” in Thai – was Asian number one in 2001 and during his amateur days served in the Royal Thai Army and trained as a paratrooper. When he was younger, he also represented his home province in football.

“It gives us enormous pleasure to invite players from the Asian, Japanese and Australasian Tours to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic,” said DUBAL Chief Executive Officer, John Boardman.

“Thongchai Jaidee’s win in Malaysia underlines the strength of the Asian professionals, while Shingo Katayama proved hugely popular with the people of Dubai last year and I am sure he will receive an another warm welcome in 2004.”

Source – Dubai Desert Classic