Rory Hie Facing Tough Challenge At Thailand Open

BANGKOK, August 8 - A niggling elbow injury may force home favourite Prayad Marksaeng to withdraw from the U.S. $1 million Thailand Open on OneAsia starting Thursday, but an army of talented Thai players is standing by to try and thwart yet another foreign invader.

No Thai has lifted the King's Trophy since 2004 when Boonchu Ruangkit won the second of his two titles, 12 years after claiming his first, and the only other national to triumph was Suthep Meesawat in 1991.

Since it was first held in 1965, the Thailand Open has largely rewarded a series of foreign raiders, and an excellent OneAsia field from across the Asia-Pacific -- as well as representation from the European and Japanese Tours -- could see the trend continue at Suwan Golf & Country Club.

The absence of Prayad -- runner up in the event last year to Australian Andre Stolz -- would make the task a touch easier.

"This tournament means so much to all Thai players … I really want to play," Prayad said on Wednesday, his right elbow strapped with a liniment plaster.

"But I am not in perfect condition. It really started hurting in the Pro-Am (Tuesday) and today I decided not to hit any balls at all."

Prayad, 46, who has three Japan Tour and six Asian Tour titles to his name, continues to belie his age with first-rate displays and has enjoyed a string of top-10 finishes this season.

He will make a final decision on playing before Thursday's scheduled first round, but having to skip the chance to win a trophy most Thai professionals revere will be a tough one.

It is not just any tournament," Prayad said. "This trophy was given by the King, so it is something special to Thai golfers. It is more than a physical achievement to win this, it is a spiritual thing as well."v Prom Meesawat, meanwhile, known locally as the "Big Dolphin" because of his cherubic build, has more than royal favour to play for as it was his father, Suthep, who first won in 1991.

"I have seen the (replica) trophy at home a lot and so I know all about it," said Prom. "Growing up with the Thailand Open means it is even more special to me."

Veteran Boonchu, will bid for an unlikely hat-trick of titles at the age of 56 while a host of young pretenders such as Thanyakon Khrongpha, Namchok Tantipokhakul, Chinnarat Phadungsil, Wisut Artjanawat and Pariya Junhasavandikul will also be flying the Thai flag.

The evergreen Thaworn Wiratchant said because of the royal association it was difficult to explain why it was so hard to win the Thailand Open.

"For a Thai you have to deserve to win the trophy," he said. "It is more than playing well ... you have to have a pure heart as well."

It is a concept many foreigners find hard to grasp, and three contenders from Europe said they felt the Thai players should be feeding off the pressure instead of letting it get to them.

"It should be a good pressure," said Paul McGinley, the Ryder Cup star leading a strong European Tour challenge during something of a lull in their regular season.

"Look at the British Team at the Olympics -- they are doing the best they've ever done and that's because they are at home."

"I think we saw a similar situation at the Irish Open. It was around 30 years before we got an Irish winner, and then we had two or three in a row … these things come and go."

Irishman McGinley is joined by Englishmen David Howell, Chris Wood, David Horsey and Richard Finch from the European Tour.

"Sooner or later one of the Thais will get through," Howell said.

"Its Asian golf in general," said Wood, "but we are seeing more and more talented Thai players and it is only a matter of time."

Defending champion Stolz, who went on to win the OneAsia Order of Merit last year, is likely to find the course to his liking again this year while China’s Liang Wenchong, who lifted the Thailand Open trophy in 2010 on his way to winning the Merit title, will lead a formidable challenge from the mainland that includes emerging stars Hu Mu, Wu Ashun and Zhang Xinjun.

Australian Scott Strange, the Merit champion in 2009 and two-time winner on the European Tour, will also bid for honours along with his young compatriot Nick Cullen.

Left-hander Cullen claimed this year’s season-opening Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and is currently second on the OneAsia Order of Merit.

Korea will also feature strong representation with a wealth of stars including Kim Dae-hyun, Park Sang-hyun, Han Chang-won and Kim Meen-whee.

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.

Additionally Malaysians Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung, Indonesia’s Rory Hie 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.