KUALA LUMPUR – Dec. 7, 2004 – Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and Simon Yates of Scotland enter this week's season-ending US$550,000 Volvo Masters of Asia here locked in a two-way battle for the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown.
Former soldier Thongchai, last year's winner of the Volvo Masters of Asia, finished tied 39th in the Omega Hong Kong Open on Sunday, one shot ahead of Yates and preserved his lead at the top of the Order of Merit. The Thai has built a US$52,957 advantage over second-ranked Yates going into this week's season-ender at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
With US$99,000 on offer to the winner this week, and US$62,000 to the runner-up, Yates cannot finish lower than second place if he is to prevent Thongchai of a second Merit title in four years. India's Jyoti Randhawa, who is third on the money ranking, will add to the star appeal at Kota Permai but is out of the count for Asia's number one mantle as he is US$106,966 behind the Thai star.
To enhance his title charge, Thongchai, who has won US$359,675 this season, will fly his swing coach Sanit Hensakun to Kuala Lumpur this week to keep a watchful eye on his game. He conceded his game wasn't up to mark last week with rounds of 67, 68, 72 and 73. "It was good to finish ahead of Simon and stay ahead by more than US$50,000 in the Order of Merit. I'm looking forward to the Volvo Masters of Asia and hope to wrap up the merit title there," said Thongchai, whose rise to the top this year was helped with back-to-back victories at the Myanmar Open and Carlsberg Malaysian Open in February.
Thongchai, the first Thai winner on the European Tour following his Malaysian Open success, has some injury woes though in his title defence, saying a back strain has been troubling him. "I wasn't able to turn my body fully on the back swing in Hong Kong and used my hands more which resulted in stray shots. I'm going to see my coach in Bangkok on Monday (today) and work it out. He'll fly down to KL with me to keep an eye on my swing which has some faults at the moment."
Yates is enjoying his career best season with one win and seven top-10s and has surpassed the US$300,000 mark in earnings this year. In fact, the Thai-based Yates, a former downhill skier for Scotland before swapping his skis for golf clubs, is only US$4,500 short of becoming only the fourth player after Thongchai, Randhawa and Arjun Atwal in the exclusive million dollar club in career earnings.
Kota Permai is a happy hunting ground for Yates, who holds the course record of nine-under-par 63 and has two previous runner-up finishes at the Ross Watson-designed course. He was tied second in the inaugural Volvo Masters of Asia in 2002 and is looking to make Thongchai sweat for the Merit title. "I have finished second twice and also came in fourth. Somehow I always play quite nicely at Kota Permai. When you get on a course, you either like it or don't. I have good memories of playing there and hope to do well again," said Yates.
The winner of the Volvo Masters of Asia will also earn a ticket to play in the WGC-NEC Invitational next year while finishing as the Asian Tour Order of Merit winner comes with a spot in next year's British Open at St Andrews. The top three from the merit list will also earn places in the WGC-American Express Championship in 2005.
Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20
Pos. Player 2004(US$)
1. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 359,675
2. Simon YATES (SCO) 306,718
3. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 252,709
4. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 249,680
5. Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 215,638
6. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 200,441
7. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 190,603
8. Simon DYSON (ENG) 176,018
9. Greg HANRAHAN (USA) 169,013
10. Charlie WI (KOR) 167,483
11. Brad KENNEDY (AUS) 165,537
12. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 145,437
13. Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 128,168
14. Adam GROOM (AUS) 117,727
15. Edward LOAR (USA) 113,577
16. James KINGSTON (RSA) 112,024
17. ZHANG Lian-wei (CHN) 110,197
18. Rick GIBSON (CAN) 107,473
19. Thammanoon SRIROT (THA) 102,305
20. MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 102,217
Media Contact:
Chuah Choo Chiang
Asian Tour
T: 603 7880 3714
E: chuah@asiantour.com
