The Thai ace with the unorthodox swing has long been one of Asia’s brightest stars, but he faces stiff competition this week from a field strengthened by the inclusion of Japan’s top players as part of an historic three-year tie-up between OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
The tournament is one of five national opens on the OneAsia schedule, which in its fourth season features 14 events and a total purse of over U.S. $16 million, making it the most lucrative regional tour in the Asia Pacific.
The involvement of the Japan tour means OneAsia -- founded by the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour, the Korea Golf Association and the PGA of Australia -- has moved a step closer towards its goal of providing a viable regional alternative to the U.S. PGA and European tours.
The U.S. $1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open is the richest event on the country’s sporting calendar and the archipelago of over 17,000 islands, home to the world’s fourth biggest population, boasts some of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia.
Thaworn will have little time to enjoy the scenery if he is to retain his title, with a stiff breeze and punishing rough providing a real test for the professionals at Emeralda, south of the capital, Jakarta.
“It is very difficult,” said Thaworn, who said on the eve of the tournament that he would be happy with a top 20 finish. “The conditions are very tough. You have to play very well to win here.”
Thaworn won last year by a shot from joint runners-up Choi Jin-ho, local favourite Rory Hie and Michael Hendry of New Zealand, the 2010 winner, and he hopes memories of that victory will spark life into his game – especially as he had recently conquered issues with his driver.
“All up here,” he said, tapping his head. “But it is much better now.”
Shingo Katayama, who with 26 titles and career earnings of $20 million leads a formidable Japanese challenge, also pinpointed the rough as being key to success this week.
“Very hard. You must stay on the fairway or you are in trouble,” he said.
Local favourite Hie, meanwhile, was thinking positive thoughts on the eve of his national tournament after a bogey on the final hole last year cost him the chance of becoming only the second Indonesian to triumph.
“I have learnt from that and I am looking ahead now,” he said. “I am focused on what needs to be done and I think I have grown as a player.”
The OneAsia season opener has brought out most of the stars who have shone since the circuit was established in 2009, including maiden Order of Merit winner Scott Strange of Australia and China’s Liang Wenchong, who triumphed the following year.
Kiwi Hendry, meanwhile, who won by seven strokes from Liang in 2010 and was joint runner-up last year, will also be a factor in a tournament he appears to relish.
"I've had great results in Asia and I've set pretty big goals,” he said earlier this week.
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