Chachoengsao, Thailand, November 7: Read what players have to say following the opening round of the Thailand Open on Thursday.

Natthapat Harnchokchaiskul (a) (Tha) – First round 64 (-7)

I played better than I expected. I thought it would be great if I can shoot under-par today. I really didn’t expect myself to play so well. I hit my approach shots very well today and my putting was good too. My driver wasn’t too bad as well. I managed to hit a lot of fairways.

I think my best birdie today was on the ninth. I hit a really good drive into the wind and it’s a long par-four. I hit a very good approach shot there and made the putt from about five yards. I felt confident with my putting today.

This is the third time I’m playing this course. I have played two amateur events here before. This is my first time playing in the Thailand Open. I was very excited when I received a call from TGA on Sunday night to say that I am in for the tournament. I came straight here on Monday to practise. I would like to thank the TGA for giving me this opportunity.

The game’s been feeling good. I have been practicing hard for the Qualifying School on the local Tour so it’s a good time for me to get into the Thailand Open. I feel very honoured to be playing alongside the top Thai stars in the tournament this week.

Phachara Khongwatmai (Tha) – First round 65 (-6)

I hit my driver well today. I managed to find a lot of fairways. Missed it on the last hole but made two putts to par the last. I holed the putt from about 17 feet. No long putts today, the longest one I had is about 18 feet.

I thought the conditions were pretty difficult out there. The wind was quite strong and the direction changes. It’s an easy game for me today because I hit my driver well. This is my first time playing here at the Thai Country Club so to shoot a 65, I’m really happy.

I have never played here before. This course is pretty wide but if you’re not on the fairway, it can get very difficult. The greens are firm too. I am very happy with my round today. I hope I can hit my driver as good tomorrow.

Aadil Bedi (Ind) – First round 66 (-5)

It was a good round today. I teed off in the morning and the conditions are a bit different from the afternoon. It was nice to finish with four birdies in the last seven holes. Greens were slower in the morning and they got firmer on the back nine.

I played pretty solid. I had a good result back home in India two weeks ago. I came in fifth at Jeev Milkha Singh’s event so I am just riding on the good form. Game’s feeling good and I am just feeding off the momentum. All parts of the game are right where they should be so I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.

Things shifted for me from the 12^th hole. I made a lengthy putt from over 25 feet and that gave me a lot of momentum heading into the remainder of my round. Season’s been alright for me. I have learned a lot since I first started to play on the Asian Tour.

I have been talking to a lot of experienced players and learning new things everyday. I am hoping to end the season on a strong note. I am pretty prepared mentally coming into the final stretch of the season. What goals I should have and what expectations I should set for myself and my game.

I just need to follow my process and my routine, play every hole as it comes and don’t worry about the future. It’s my first time playing here. It’s such a beautiful course. It’s definitely one of the best courses that I have played so far in Asia. It’s so pure. The greens are running absolutely perfect. There’s no complaints.

Mardan Mamat (Sgp) – First round 67 (-4)

I am very happy with the way I played overall today. I played very steadily, made a couple of putts and some good ones from about 10 feet to save par on nine and 15. I putted really nicely today and I think that was the key for me.

Otherwise, nothing special really. I stuck to my routine and play one shot at a time. Finishing inside top-five in Chinese Taipei last month has given me a lot of confidence. I feel more relaxed out there. No stress.

The course is in good shape. It’s really nice out there. The wind only started to pick on my last four holes so overall, it’s still alright.

Chachoengsao, Thailand, November 6: Read what players have to say ahead of the Thailand Open which starts on Thursday.

Joohyung Kim (Kor)

This is my second Thailand Open. Obviously, I had a great year on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) which has given me a chance to play on the Asian Tour for the rest of the 2019 season. I am feeling good.

This course can get difficult with the wind and the long rough. It’s a pretty tough field this week too but I am just very excited to get things underway. I have prepared hard for this week after winning in Pakistan two weeks ago.

I took the two weeks off just to polish my game. I think if I can play my ‘A’ game and hit some good shots out there, I should be able to put up a good result this week. I wouldn’t say I am super confident about this week but I am indeed very excited.

I just want to see how my game fits on the Asian Tour. I know this course. I have played a few times but knowing this course, it’s still going to be pretty tricky no matter how many times you play here.

I moved to Bangkok last year with my family, for golf reasons really. There are a lot of good Thai players here and I think it’s a good base in Asia to travel around and work on my game. The practice facilities here are good too.

Before coming to Bangkok, I was in the Philippines for six years and prior to that, I lived in Australia for seven years. The aim is to try and make the cut first this week. I just want to learn as much as I can for next season. I want to try and learn from the best players out here.

Playing on the ADT this season has been a really good experience for me. I really got to understand how much I have to become better as a player. It’s also pretty fun to travel to places like Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia, places I have never been before.

Playing with good players has really helped me develop my game too. Almost all the Thai players are good I think. There are so many of them whom I really look up to. I don’t really practise with them but I know most of them because we play tournaments together.

Suradit Yongcharoenchai (Tha)

I am very happy to be back here playing the Thailand Open. It’s always nice to play at home. Coming into the week with a win makes me feel even better too. I didn’t start the season well but to bounce back with a win is just so special.

It hasn’t really sink in yet to honest. But nothing has changed really. Game feels the same and it’s still the same mindset coming into the tournament. The win has boosted my confidence too so hopefully I can put up another good showing this week.

The course has changed a bit this week. It’s playing longer, compared to last year and it’s windy too. It’s going to be a challenging week. Now that I have won, my next aim is to try and finish inside top-10 on the Order of Merit at the end of the season.

I grew up watching a lot of good Thai players play. My favourite Thai player is Kwanchai Tannin. He’s played really well this year. I hope the Thailand Open trophy can remain on home soil this week.

Poom Saksansin (Tha)

It’s nice to be back, playing at home. I had a four-week break before this week. I practiced a lot and I was trying to get my game back. I played well here last year. Came in second so definitely feeling some good vibes coming back here.

The game is getting better although it’s still not where I want it to be. But it’s better than how I played in Japan earlier. I am definitely happier playing golf now. When I played in Japan, I just can’t seem to play well. After this break, I think I found something that clicked, both mindset and mechanics.

I found something about my down swing and my wrist position. The course is firmer and more difficult this year. It has been a tough year for me. I will try and make the cut first and see how it goes.

Rashid Khan (Ind)

I have been playing good golf for the last couple of months, on both the Asian Tour and my local Tour. When you give yourself good opportunities, you have to take advantage of that. I don’t have a full card on Tour this year. I was playing on my country exemption.

There was a lot of pressure on me trying to get my card for 2020. Somehow, I managed to do it. I was focused on playing tournaments. It didn’t seem like I was making as much mistakes on the course, not like how it used to be before. I used to make six birdies and then six bogeys to make even-par.

I just want to keep giving myself chances to score and try to cut down on the mistakes. This mindset is really working for me. I came close a couple of times and even though I didn’t win, I took a lot of positives from the near misses.

I am hitting the ball better this year. I think that’s the main difference, compared to the last few years. My focus is more on the golf course. I was doing everything perfectly. When I missed the green, I manage to make up and down. It’s been a few years since I last won. I want to try and win again.

Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha) – Defending champion

I feel really excited. I am looking forward to my title defence this week. I still remember I holed a lot of putts to win the tournament last year. It was great to win my own National Open. It’s a huge honour.

The game’s pretty alright. Not playing my ‘A’ game yet but I’m working on it now and I know I’m on the right track. I feel very good coming back to the Thai Country Club. I come here almost everyday. It’s my home course.

I hope to defend my title and win it again. The course set up has changed a little this year. It’s longer and the wind is different too. It’s almost like playing a different course this year but I will try my best.

Kosuke Hamamoto (Tha)

It’s my first time playing the Thailand Open. I am very excited because it’s my National Open. The game’s been good. I know I just need to keep giving myself chances and stay patient. I have only played once on this course but I do have some memories here.

There are a lot of good Thai players whom I look up to, like Boonchu Ruangkit, Thongchai Jaidee, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, etc. I can name so many of them. I know only five Thais have won the tournament so far.

Really looking forward to this week. It has been a good rookie season for me so far. My aim for the remainder of the season is to try and finish inside top-30 on the final Order of Merit.

John Catlin (USA)

I am excited to get back to the Asian Tour. Thailand has been my home for three years now so to be back for the National Open feels awesome.

It’s been a great year for me, earning starts on the PGA TOUR and the European Tour. I have gained a lot of confidence from the halfway cuts that I made.

There are a lot of great players on the Asian Tour and to win three times last year showed me that the work my coach and I have put in over the last five years is the right stuff.

Ajeetesh Sandhu (Ind)

I had a good stretch of events coming here. Played well and I won Jeev Milkha Singh’s event back home on my home course too. That has given me a lot of confidence coming into this week.

I shot 20-under that week on a very tough course. It was fun and it definitely made me look forward to what’s coming up. I am feeling good with my game right now so I really want to win again on the Asian Tour.

Chachoengsao, Thailand, November 5: Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat will be looking to become the first player to successfully defend his title at the prestigious Thailand Open when he gets his campaign underway at the highly acclaimed Thai Country Club on Thursday.

Panuphol, who claimed a memorable second Asian Tour victory at the Kingdom’s National Open last year, will challenge for top honours again on his home course when he headlines the US$300,000 event, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Thailand Golf Association.

“I feel really excited. I am looking forward to my title defence this week. I still remember I holed a lot of putts to win the tournament last year. It was great to win my own National Open. It’s a huge honour,” said the 26-year-old.

“The game’s pretty alright. Not playing my ‘A’ game yet but I’m working on it right now and I know I’m on the right track,” added Panuphol, who has claimed one top-10 finish and three top-20 results in 11 starts on the Asian Tour to sit in 27th place on the Order of Merit.

Panuphol, nicknamed ‘Coconut’ by his parents, turned professional in 2007 at a young age of 14, He has never finished outside the top-60 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit since coming through the Qualifying School in 2011.

Qualifying School graduate Kosuke Hamamoto will be making his debut appearance in the Thailand Open. The Thai-Japanese has enjoyed a solid rookie season so far and is looking to translate his impressive form into a victory when he tees up at the Thai Country Club.

“It’s my first time playing the Thailand Open. I am very excited because it’s my National Open. The game’s been good. I know I just need to keep giving myself chances and stay patient. I have only played once on this course but I do have some memories here,” said Hamamato.

The 20-year-old Hamamoto has virtually kept his card for the 2020 season, thanks to two top-10 finishes in Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. He sits in 32nd place on the money list with a current haul of US$88,581.

Khun Rungsrid Luxsitanonda, President of Thailand Golf Association, hailed the return of the Thailand Open on the Asian Tour.

“We are delighted to sanction the Thailand Open with the Asian Tour once again this week. Working closely with the Asian Tour for a long time to grow the stature and prestige of the Thailand Open, the association has played a major role in developing the game of golf in Thailand and in the region. We are looking forward to another successful edition of the Thailand Open this week,” said Rungsrid.

The president added that because of its long history, this prestigious tournament has always been attracting the players both Thais and foreigners, who are vying for the coveted trophy graciously offered by the late King Rama IX. With that, this annual tournament has become much more competitive and it serves as another stage for the golfers to hone their skills and promote the country dubbed The Golf Factory.

“Someone says that Thailand is a golf factory in the region and I believed that the association has been part in supporting the factory,” he added. 

John Blanch, General Manager of the Thai Country Club, also lauded the staging of the event and said, “We are honoured to be hosting the event for the third straight year. We are glad to welcome back the Asian Tour stars and officials this week. Our staff have also been working very hard to ensure our course is in optimum condition so that we can provide a quality test to the players.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Asian Tour, expressed his appreciation to Thai Golf Association and Thai Country Club for their outstanding support over the past few years.

“I would like to express our gratitude to the Thailand Golf Association and the Thai Country Club for their outstanding commitment and support. Their valuable contributions have been instrumental in strengthening professional golf across Asia. We hope the staging of the Thailand Open will continue to inspire the younger generation of players,” said Cho.

The Thailand Open will also kick off the third edition of the Asian Tour’s 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate points race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Ends.

Rory McIlroy (Nir) Fourth round 68 (-4) Total 269 (-19)

This third WGC win was so hard. I felt after shooting 10-under par for the first two days, thinking going bogey-free over the weekend, I thought that would probably be enough to get the job done. I played 73 holes this week with Xander, and I have to give credit to him. He’s battled the flu all week and he’s played unbelievably well considering how he’s been feeling.

18 has been good to me over the week. I had an eagle Friday, a great birdie yesterday, and got lucky in regulation not to go in the water and it was a relief to hit those two shots in the playoff.

He was battling a flu all week, wasn’t feeling his best, and so the calibre of golf he played this week, it takes some doing. I don’t want to take anything away from him. He birdied the last to get into the playoff, and then I produced two of the best shots of the day when I needed it, which was really cool.

Xander Schauffele (Usa) Fourth round 66 (-6), Total 269 (-19)

Unfortunately a good attitude doesn’t make you hit it 350. But I tried, I tried my best. Played great. I did. I beat him on the day just to get in a playoff, and unfortunately I couldn’t pull it off.

Rory’s great. I would have much rather played a par-three for a play-off or something. He’s the best driver in our game. So if I was a betting man, I probably would have bet on him if we had to play the hole over and over again. He’s a great guy. Couldn’t be happier for him. Like I said, I played great all week; fought. It was nice to have a chance on the back nine. Rory, he’s an elite player. When he’s on, I’d say he’s arguably the best player in the world. He made me play better. I played with him in Japan, as well. I think I played six out of eight rounds. So he’s made me better during my Asian Swing and I know what I need to do to become a better player.

Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) Fourth round 69 (-3) Total 271 (-17)

To be honest, the way I’ve struggled off the tee box this week, I’ve done really well. I lost it on nine and 11, had chances on 13 getting it back. I gave it a good shot. Tried to make a few birdies at the end. It’s one of those. I was very inspired by the boys’ play last night, the Springboks, and I thought I could go out and do it today, but unfortunately not. I started off nicely, and I just hit a very loose tee shot on nine. The wind changed completely on me on my second, on 11, and I can’t do those things playing against class players like Rory and Xander. You just can’t give away holes. You want to have a chance going down the stretch on Sunday. That’s what we work hard for, and try and get under the pressure. I always say, if you feel the pressure on a Sunday afternoon, you’ve done a good job.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) Fourth round 70 (-2) Total 278 (-10)

I was struggling a lot the first two weeks but just found a bit of momentum this week. I just still couldn’t get over my putting. It could have been a lot better. I hit it good this week. Still, I’m really happy with the result, my first WGC and a top-15. It’s still a learning process for me and I’m trying to get there as playing such events week-in and week-out like is very demanding. I still need to improve but now I know what I need to improve even more.

Shanghai, November 2: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond returned with another three-under-par 69 to emerge as the second highest ranked Asian after Korea’s Sungjae Im following the conclusion of the third round of the WGC-HSBC Champions on Saturday.

Like his second round, the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader posted a 69 again for a three-day total of eight-under-par 208 to take the outright 13^th place, seven shots behind world number two Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who moved to the top with his third consecutive round of 67.

McIlroy, who is chasing his third World Golf Championships (WGC) title, heads into the final round with a one-shot advantage over South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen after the 2010 Open champion signed for a 65 at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Oosthuizen has never won a WGC event where the closest he came to doing so was at the 2016 WGC-Dell Match Play when he lost in the final.

Overnight leader Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and defending champion Xander Schauffele of the United States were a further shot back in a share of third place.

Im signed for a 70 to share sixth place with American Jason Kokrak at the year’s final WGC event.

Did you know?

• Jazz Janewattananond posted a tied-65th and 57th finish in Korea and Japan respectively prior to his arrival in Shanghai.
• Jazz broke into top-100 on the OWGR after winning his third Asian Tour title in Singapore in January and marked his career-best ranking when he rose to 52nd position following his fourth victory in Korea in June.
• At the age of 23 years 6 months and 27 days, Jazz becomes the youngest ever player to achieve four wins on Tour.
• A victory for Rory McIlroy would see him join just Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson in having won three of the four WGC events.
• The Northern Irishman won his second and latest WGC event in 2015 and since then has had nine top-10s in the tournaments, including a fourth top-five at Sheshan International Golf Club in 2016.
• Louis Oosthuizen entered the final round of the 2011 WGC-HSBC Champions in solo second but finished tied-seventh with an even-par 72
• He has seven prior starts at the WGC-HSBC Champions with top-10s in 2011 (tied-seventh) and 2012 (tied-sixth)

Ends.

Rory McIlroy (Nir) Third round 67 (-5) Total 201 (-15)

Yeah, it was nice. It’s funny, I was on the phone to my manager, Sean, last night, and I just shot two 67s and he said another two 67s and should get the job done. I’m halfway there for that. I think if I can go out tomorrow and play similar to how I did today, I should have a good chance to win. But I probably played the best today that I’ve played all week. I drove the ball well. Hitting my irons pretty good for the most part. I feel like I didn’t quite get as much out of the round as I could have but I’m not going to complain. I’m in the lead going into tomorrow, so I just need to rest and try to get out there and play another good, solid round of golf.

I mean, right now, the game feels pretty simple. I know that it’s not going to feel like that all the time, but when it does, you have to take advantage of that feeling. I’ve given myself another opportunity to win a very big golf tournament, a tournament that I’ve never won before.

So I want to go out there and be committed, play aggressively, and shoot a good number. I took a lot from the win in Canada earlier this year. I went out tied for the lead, and I just said from the start, I’m going to keep my foot down and I’m going to go for everything. It was a good lesson that when you do have something right there, in front of you, a tournament to win or something to achieve, you just have to grab it with both hands, and that’s what I’ll do tomorrow.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) Third round 69 (-3) Total 208 (-8)

It was a pretty easy three-under. I missed a lot of putts but I’m happy with the way I’m swinging it so hopefully I continue to hit it like this tomorrow and make more putts. I just didn’t take advantage of it, but still a pretty good round and a pretty good score. I’m going to try to finish as high as I can and you know, try to grind it out. My goal is to end the year inside the top-50, so this is going to be a good opportunity to put myself closer to that goal. I hit a lot of greens and had a lot of chances.

Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) Third round 65 (-7) Total 202 (-14)

It’s been getting better every round. I struggled the first two rounds with my driver. A little bit better today. Still a few wayward ones there in the middle of the round, but you know, I’m hitting my irons very good and I’m rolling the ball nicely, so that helps. You need to drive it good here. If you drive it good around this golf course, with the greens being the way they are, you can score low. You can have a low score because it’s like I said before, I think it’s the best I’ve seen the greens before. I played with Rory the last two rounds last week. He’s absolutely striping it. I need to play really good golf tomorrow.

Xander Schauffele (Usa) Third round 68 (-4), Total 203 (-13)

It was weird, I don’t think I’ve ever birdied the first three holes and the last three. Kind of a stall-out in the middle of the round. Yeah, I’m happy, right here in the mix with one day to go. I was hitting it much better than I did the first two days. I have a chance with 18 holes. I played with Rory every day. He’s hitting it nice and putting well. It will be a fun final day. My strength is coming back a little bit. Still a little off. I was laughing with my caddie. I had trouble carrying a bunker at 280, which for me is normally, you know, it doesn’t matter how I hit it. Normally I swing fast enough — just take what I can get throughout the day, and it was nice. I don’t think I’ve ever birdied the first three and the last three. So it was a weird day.

Ends.

Chachoengsao, Thailand, November 2: The Thailand Open is primed for a compelling week of top-notch golf action when it returns to the Thai Country Club for its third consecutive edition on the Asian Tour next week.

The US$300,000 full-field event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Thailand Golf Association, will feature a talented field of 144 players from 20 countries with no fewer than 65 local players and 40 Tour champions vying for top honours.

American John Catlin, who claimed three victories in 2018, will aim for more glory when he returns for his first event on the region’s premier Tour since May. He will headline the Kingdom’s National Open alongside defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand.

Newly crowned Asian Tour champion Suradit Yongcharoenchai will also be part of the 65-man strong local contingent who will be challenging to become the sixth Thai player to lift the coveted trophy on home soil.

Panuphol won by one shot for his second Asian Tour title last year and became the fifth Thai player after Suthep Meesawat (1991), Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004), Prayad Marksaeng (2013) and Rattanon Wannasrichan (2017) to win the prestigious tournament.

The 28-year-old Catlin, who was named the 2018 Players’ Player of the Year thanks to his outstanding breakout year, said: “I am excited to get back to the Asian Tour. Thailand has been my home for three years now so to be back for the National Open feels awesome. It’s been a great year for me, earning starts on the PGA TOUR and the European Tour.

“I have gained a lot of confidence from the halfway cuts that I made. There are a lot of great players on the Asian Tour and to win three times last year showed me that the work my coach and I have put in over the last five years is the right stuff,” he added.

Other notable players set to feature in the 2019 Thailand Open include India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia and Shiv Kapur, who claimed his first Asian Tour victory at the Thai Country Club in 2005, as well as Indonesia’s Rory Hie and Miguel Carballo of Argentina, who have both secured their maiden wins on Tour this season.

Players will have added motivation to do well at the Thailand Open as the event will kick start the 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate point race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Past champions of the Thailand Open include India’s Jyoti Randhawa, China’s Liang Wen-chong and Chinese Taipei legends Hsieh Min-nan and Lu Liang-huan.

The Thailand Open is the seventh full-field event on the 2019 Asian Tour schedule. It is also the Tour’s first stop in Thailand this season.

Ends.