Thailand’s Prom eager to track Tiger at CIMB Classic

Kuala Lumpur: Prom Meesawat hopes to have the opportunity to greet ‘Sawardee-Krab’– the Thai greeting for ‘hello’ – to 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods at the CIMB Classic which starts on Thursday.
 
Prom, currently seventh on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, knows he would be in contention at the US$6.1 million event which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour if he gets a chance to play alongside Woods at the Mines Resort and Golf Club this week.
 
“I expect him to play well and I hope to try to play with him this weekend,” said Prom.
 
“It’s always very good to have Tiger in the tournament. It’s going to make the field more exciting, especially when he’s a half Thai. If I have a chance to say Sawardee-Krab to him, I will. Every tournament that I’ve played with Tiger in the field, I’m very happy. I’ve not played with him before although I got close at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2007 but missed by just one group.
 
“This is another good tournament for me. Seeing a lot of world class players from the PGA Tour, I’m going to enjoy this experience. I’m very lucky to be in this field.”
 
Prom, who is amongst a 10-man line-up of Asian Tour stars in the elite 48-man field, earned his debut in the CIMB Classic after an impressive season which has seen him post three top-10s and six other top-25s.
 
The 28-year-old, who has one win in Asia, credits his form to a better frame of mind. “My mental strength has helped me a lot. At the start of the year, my iron play and driving helped me a lot. But in the last couple of months, I’ve not been driving it well but because my mental game is getting stronger, I’m staying positive and I’m able to overcome my driving problems. The last few weeks, I have still finished top-15 and top-10 even when I’m not hitting it well,” said Prom.
 
He took an instant liking to the Mines Resort and expects scoring to be low this week. “The course is very nice and very fair. Thaworn (Wiratchant) said when he played here in 2010, it was difficult with the rough. If you miss the fairway this week, you still have a shot to the green. The course seems to suit me. I like it,” he said.
 
Thaworn, who moved to the top of the Order of Merit with his third win of the season at the Hero Indian Open on Sunday, hopes to ride on his momentum as he shoots for the winner’s prize pot of US$1.3 million.
 
 
“Whether it’s big or small event, even if it was a US$300,000 event, I will pay a lot of attention to the tournament,” said Thaworn, who will play his opening round with defending champion Bo Van Pelt.
 
“The condition of the course is perfect and I feel good with this kind of golf course.  My goal this week? To become the champion (laughter) … I want to finish in a good position against these good players. I can’t think about wanting to win at this point.”
 
Thaworn’s stunning season mirrors his career-best year to date in 2005 when he won four times and also became the Asian Tour number one. The 45-year-old reckons he is now a better player, simply because he can keep his cool when things don’t go as planned.
 
“Because I’m older now, I can concentrate better. I’m not getting angry about the things around me. I’ve got more experience. As I’m older, why do I need to get angry? If I get mad, I won’t make a score. So I’ve changed and it’s good for my game.
 
“I’m looking forward to playing with the defending champion tomorrow. I hear he won last week and I also won last week, so it will be good,” said Thaworn.

By Indian Sports News Network

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