Sentosa: It had all the makings of an epic comeback. A sputtering start, a spirited challenge and finally the experience and wisdom of a 49 year-old to snatch victory again.
It was another proud moment in Prayad Marksaeng’s illustrious career where he is definitely enjoying one of the best times in his golfing career.
Fresh from winning his ninth Asian Tour title at the weekend’s Queen’s Cup on home soil, the Thai veteran is not showing any signs of slowing down and is looking to quench his thirst for more success further abroad.
“To be able to win at 49 years old is just incredible for me. I am very proud of myself.
“At the end of this year, I’ll be going to the Qualifying School for the Champions Tour in Arizona,” said Prayad after lifting the prestigious Queen’s Cup twice in the last three years.
An experienced campaigner, who picked up his Asian Tour title in China in 1996, Prayad showed that it is never over until the last putt.
Prayad lost his second round lead to Japanese leader Akinori Tani and faced a three-shot deficit heading into the final round at the demanding Santiburi Samui Country Club.
However, the years spent competing at the highest level on the region’s premier Tour has gifted him with the ability to stage a comeback especially when the chips are down.
“I started with a bogey but I wasn’t worried as there are plenty of holes to go. I knew Thanyakon (Khrongpha) was making a fast charge heading into the back nine but I thought it was only one shot so it didn’t affect me.
“I still have the chance and I was confident with my game,” said Prayad, who jumped five spots up to ninth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Thanyakon meanwhile enjoyed his best result on the Asian Tour this season with his second-placed finish at the Queen’s Cup and took pride in his battling performance which would have also made Prayad proud.
“I played good all day really. But overall, I am still happy to finish second. I was six-over at one stage of the tournament and to be able to finish in second place is just great. I’ve no complaints,” said Thanyakon.
Like Thanyakon, compatriot Jazz Janewattananond also hit all the right notes by securing his best finish on the Asian Tour so far.
The 19-year-old believes he can only be better as he rose to 22nd place on the Order of Merit after seven starts on the Asian Tour.
“It’s always good to come and play here because this is where I got my first top-five result on the Asian Tour (2013 Queen’s Cup). This top-five finish will definitely boost my ranking on the Asian Tour for sure.
“My target is to finish inside top-10 on the final Order of Merit at the end of the season. I will keep working towards that goal,” said Jazz.
Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman, a two-time Asian Tour winner, climbed seven places to 25th on the money list following his tied-third finish with Jazz and has vowed to come back stronger when the Asian Tour heads to Switzerland for the Omega European Masters next month.
“If I can continue to play like how I did this week, I will be happy. I will head home to practise and prepare for the Omega European Masters next month. My coach will be going there with me for the first time and hopefully it was be a good outing in Switzerland,” said Siddikur.
Asian Tour Order of Merit (Top-20)
Pos Player Earnings (US$)
1 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) $772,300.00
2 Andrew DODT (AUS) $366,319.16
3 Scott HEND (AUS) $258,781.66
4 S.S.P. CHAWRASIA (IND) $237,717.05
5 Richard T. LEE (CAN) $213,096.65
6 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) $207,670.00
7 Cameron SMITH (AUS) $203,518.66
8 Paul PETERSON (USA) $162,133.43
9 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $160,800.00
10 Mardan MAMAT (SIN) $138,269.43
11 Marcus FRASER (AUS) $127,682.43
12 Carlos PIGEM (ESP) $114,432.02
13 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $111,105.00
14 Wade ORMSBY (AUS) $109,700.00
15 Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) $104,785.58
16 Jason KNUTZON (USA) $96,723.73
17 Mithun PERERA (SRI) $95,518.79
18 Nathan HOLMAN (AUS) $90,189.16
19 Jeunghun WANG (KOR) $86,301.98
20 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $84,933.33