Fresh from their Asian Team victory at the Royal Trophy earlier this month, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and his compatriot Prayad Marksaeng will join the line-up at the Maybank Malaysian Open from February 12-15.
Jaidee was undefeated over the three days at the Royal Trophy, and will be confident of collecting a third Malaysian Open title, having triumphed in 2004 and 2005. His maiden victory was a landmark event, in that it was the first time a Thai player had won a co-sanctioned European Tour event.
He said: “The Maybank Malaysian Open is one of my favourite events on Tour. I feel I’m in good physical condition, and would love to claim the trophy for a third time. Both victories for me came at Saujana Golf and Country Club so I’m familiar with the course and surroundings, which always helps me to focus on my game and relax.”
Jaidee was the first man to earn over US$2million on the Asia Tour, and has ten Asian Tour victories to his name. In the 2008 season, he won the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters and the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, finishing in 14th position on the Order of Merit after playing 11 events on the schedule. His most recent appearance, at the Abu Dhabi Championship, saw Jaidee claim a creditable 13th place.
Marksaeng has been a member of the Asian Tour since it began in its current form in 1995. He has six Tour victories to his name, and became one of the first 10 men to reach US$1million in career earnings. His most recent Asian Tour win was at the 2007 Volvo Masters of Asia, and he collected three titles on the Japan Golf Tour last year.
Marksaeng partnered Jaidee to Foursomes and Fourball victories at the Royal Trophy, and also won his singles match against Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal on the final day.
He said: “The victory for Asia at the Royal Trophy was a great start to the season for me. Thongchai and I played well together in the opening two days, and I’m looking forward to teeing off beside him and the other players at next month’s Maybank Malaysian Open. “
Commenting on the progress the game has made in the past few years, Malaysian Golf Association President Datuk Robin Loh said: “The quality of players in Asia has grown tremendously in recent times. It’s great to have so many high profile players from the Asian Tour playing alongside the best of The European Tour at the Maybank Malaysian Open this year.
“Both Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng are popular with the locals, and on the back of their recent victories they will have lots of confidence and support from the fans.”
The Maybank Malaysian Open, which was the first event in Asia to be co-sanctioned back in 1999 by The European and Asian Tours, will offer players vital prize money in The Race to Dubai.
Source:
http://www.europeantour.com