Pavit Tangkamolprasert will start as one of the favourites at this week’s Singapore Open presented by The Business Times after an impressive start to the season.

It is a pleasing position to be in for the Thai star and quite the contrast from when he debuted in the tournament in 2007, here on The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club.

Back then he impressed by making the cut despite his accommodation being far from satisfactory.

It was his first season in the professional game and because he was managing his budget carefully he opted to stay in an $18-a-night hostel in Geylang.

“Wow… I didn’t think anyone would remember that!” said the 38-year-old this week.

“It’s been a long time. I’d just turned pro. Back then, I didn’t have any sponsors, and I had some friends sharing a room, so we decided to room together – probably seven, eight people in one room.”

Pavit Tangkamolprasert on his way to second place in the Philippines at the start of the year.

Despite that he shot rounds of 73, 74, 78 and 74 to finish in a tie for 59^th. The pay cheque of US$13,600 would have felt like a windfall.

Fast forward nearly two decades and Pavit will fancy his chances of finishing 58^th places better this week and securing his third title on the Asian Tour.

He last won in 2019 at the Sabah Masters and has been one of the in-form players this year. He finished second in the season-opening Philippine Golf Championship and tied for second in the International Series Japan two weeks ago. He is currently in second place on both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.

He said: “Actually, my training hasn’t changed much. I’ve just adjusted the training strategy a little, focusing more on what needs to be improved compared to last year.”

“I feel comfortable and confident with my current form. I think if I can maintain this standard, anything is possible.”

His maiden victory on the Asian Tour was at the Macau Open in 2016, while he is also an eight-time winner on the Asian Development Tour. It’s the most by any player, with his most recent coming in 2024 at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open.

Pavit also tied for second in Japan.

Asked if he thinks another win on the main Tour is on the cards, he said: “I’ll keep trying. I can’t say for sure, but it’s been my fourth time that I finished second place since December. I think I’m very close now.”

With the 5-star Hotel Ora, part of Resorts World Sentosa, the official hotel this week he will certainly not have any accommodation concerns.

Story: Simon Wilson/Asian Tour.

Pictures: Graham Uden/Asian Tour.