BANGKOK, August 1 - Next week's U.S. $1 million Thailand Open has attracted one of the largest and strongest fields in its history following overwhelming interest in the marquee OneAsia event.
A total of 168 players will compete in the 43rd staging of the country’s national Open, which features Singha as the premier sponsor.
The prestigious tournament will be played for the second successive year at Suwan Golf & Country Club from August 9-12.
Last month a host of marquee names were announced including Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Prom Meesawat and defending champion Andre Stolz from Australia.
European Tour stars Paul McGinley from Ireland, and Englishmen Chris Wood, David Howell, David Horsey and Richard Finch were also confirmed.
The field has now been finalised and the tournament clearly boasts a strength in depth that makes it one of the premier events of the season.
China’s Liang Wenchong, who lifted the Thailand Open trophy in 2010 on his way to winning the OneAsia Order of Merit title, will lead a formidable challenge from the mainland that includes emerging stars Hu Mu, Wu Ashun and Zhang Xinjun.
Veteran Boonchu Ruangkit, Thailand’s golfing idol who was victorious in the Thailand Open in 1992 and 2004, will bid for a hat-trick of titles at the age of 56 while a host of young pretenders have entered such as Thanyakon Khrongpha, Namchok Tantipokhakul, Chinnarat Phadungsil, Wisut Artjanawat and Pariya Junhasavandikul.
A total of 32 places were granted to players under the local exemption category -- including 10 of the country’s top amateurs.
Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol and Chapchai Nirat, winners of numerous titles in the region, are also amongst the entrants who will attempt to bank the U.S. $180,000 winner's cheque.
Australian Scott Strange, the OneAsia Order of Merit champion in 2009 and two-time winner on the European Tour, will also bid for honours along with his young compatriot Nick Cullen.
Lefthander Cullen claimed this year’s Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, the season-opening event on OneAsia, and is currently second on the OneAsia Order of Merit.
Golfing powerhouse Korea will also feature strong representation with a wealth of stars of the future having entered including Kim Dae-hyun, Park Sang-hyun, Han Chang-won and Kim Meen-whee.
Kim Dae-hyun, claimed the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea on OneAsia in 2010, while Park is presently third on the OneAsia Order of Merit after finishing fourth and second in the previous two tournaments.
Han triumphed in the OneAsia Qualifying School by six strokes in 2011 and also tasted victory in the 2009 Asian Amateur Championship.
Kim Meen-whee is another player from the Land of Morning Calm to look out for as he claimed the gold medal in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
OneAsia also made 20 spots available to members of the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and these have been filled by a quality line-up including five-time Japanese tour winner Kenichi Kuboya.
Indonesia’s only entrant Rory Hie will try to improve on last year's performance at this tournament, where he missed the cut. So far 2012 hasn't been as successful as 2011 for him, so a good result here may boost his confidence for the remainder of the season.
Additionally Malaysians Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung and Choo Tze-huang from Singapore add to the exciting mix of talent from the region who will compete for the famous King’s Trophy, donated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The Thailand Open first became part of OneAsia in 2010 and is the fifth leg of the 2012 season.
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