Singapore: Thongchai Jaidee will aim to fulfill a personal ambition at the 2014 Masters Tournament after ending the year inside the top-50 on the Official World Golf Ranking following a tied 10th result at the Thailand Golf Championship on Sunday.
The three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner ended the year in 46th position in the world, thanks to nine other top-10 results including two runner-up finishes at the BMW Masters in October and Volvo World Match Play Championship in May.
Through his global experience and success, the Thai star was also named as the captain for Team Asia at the inaugural Ryder Cup-styled EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM played at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from March 27 to 29, 2014.
“For 2014, my main goals will be the Masters and the EurAsia Cup. It’ll be my first time to become captain of the Asian Team and I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be one more tournament to look forward to,” said Thongchai a 13-time Asian Tour winner.
It will be Thongchai’s third appearance at the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in April, 2014 where he aims to feature in the weekend rounds for the first time in his career.
“I have never made the cut there (Masters Tournament) in my life and I would like to do that. That would be one of my goals next year. I have made the cut in all the other three Majors, except for the Masters. It will be special if I can play in all four rounds at the Masters,” he said.
Thongchai insists that 2013 has been a successful year even though he did not win. “I’m enjoying my work and golf this year. It’s been a good and lovely year, no complaints at all.
“I’ve improved my world ranking and got myself back into the top-50, which was my key goal this year. I’ve completed this target and I’m now looking forward to next year. I’m looking forward to play in the big events next year, especially in the United States,” said Thongchai.
“Last year, I struggled a lot with putting although I did win in Wales. My putting wasn’t good towards the end of last year and I worked hard at it this year. My driving and iron play have also become better and I’ve been healthy. I’m still going to try to make my body stronger next year,” he added.
Thongchai will end the year in 10th position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, which has been virtually won by his countryman Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who leads the rankings on US$1,127,855.
Scott Hend of Australia, who won three Asian Tour titles in 2013, stayed in second position with US$571,400 while Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, winner of the Hero Indian Open in November, sits in third on US$486,667.
Indian duo Gaganjeet Bhullar (US$479,978) and Anirban Lahiri (US$465,696), who finished in a commendable tied fourth position at the Thailand Golf Championship, are placed fourth and fifth on the Order of Merit respectively.
Liang Wen-chong of China (US$398,798), Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea (US$336,993), Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (US$295,407) and Shiv Kapur of India (US$289,871) make up the top-10 players on the Order of Merit.
The next Asian Tour stop will be at the US$1 million King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin, staged at the Black Mountain Golf Club from January 16 to 19, 2014.
ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT (TOP-20)
Pos Player Order of Merit
1 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 1,127,855
2 Scott HEND (AUS) 571,400
3 Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 486,667
4 Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 479,978
5 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 465,696
6 LIANG Wenchong (CHN) 398,798
7 BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 336,993
8 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 295,407
9 Shiv KAPUR (IND) 289,871
10 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 280,297
11 Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 250,184
12 Angelo QUE (PHI) 239,971
13 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 221,005
14 S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 196,731
15 Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 186,568
16 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 184,339
17 KIM Gi-whan (KOR) 180,265
18 Berry HENSON (USA) 177,651
19 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 159,787
20 Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 156,072
