Thaworn Wiratchant's reputation for hard work and dedication has moved to a new level as he attempts to win the US$1 million Thailand Open for the first time.
The 44-year-old Thai has played seven practice rounds in nine days at Suwan Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the OneAsia event for the first time this week.
"I feel that this could be one of my last chances to win the Thailand Open. The new generation of Thai golfers are taking over. I played here at Suwan last Monday to Friday and then again on Monday and Tuesday," said Thaworn.
He won the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta in July for the 16th big win of his illustrious career.
It was his first victory on OneAsia and success this week would mean the first time a player has won back-to-back titles on the fast-rising circuit.
"The course here doesn't really suit my game that is why I need to practice. It means everything to win the Thailand Open. I have not much more to achieve in the game. My hopes are very high even though I have played here twice in tournaments and not done well. I am really motivated," added Thaworn.
This week's event is the eighth tournament on this season's OneAsia, which boasts 13 events each with prize money of over US$1 million.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee is also competing in attempt to win the title for the first time along with a host of star players including Shigeki Maruyama and Shingo Katayama from Japan, New Zealand's Michael Campbell, Australian Andre Stolz and Korea's Kim Dae-hyun.
Thaworn jumped to third place on the OneAsia Order of Merit with victory in the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta and can leapfrog the second-placed Stolz and leader Kim Kyung-tae of Korea by picking up his second successive winner's cheque of US$180,000.
Thongchai has arrived with minor back problems and is also working on swing changes.
"I am about 60 to 70 percent fit at the moment so it will be difficult. However, it is the Thailand Open so I will be concentrating 100 per cent. With my new swing I hope to play at a higher level but it will take time," said Thongchai.
His best finish in the event came in 2000 when he placed second behind South African Des Terblanche in Hua Hin. That was the year he claimed his first title on the Asian circuit, in the Korean Open. He has since gone on to win 13 tournaments on that tour and three Order of Merit of titles.
"The Thailand Open is the country's legendary tournament. I have a lot of experience in the event. I think I have played in it 10 times. In my opinion this may not be my time to win it but I hope a Thai golfer can win," added Thongchai.
Only two Thais have won their home Open with Suthep Meesawat triumphing in 1991 and Boonchu Ruangkit following him into the winner's circle in 1992 and 2004.
Boonchu withdraw from the tournament earlier this week due to a back injury he picked up at the US Senior Open two weeks ago.
Campbell, a regular visitor to Asia during the early part of his career, has been showing glimpses of good form this year helped by making some changes to his game.
He said: "Obviously in golf, it is like a business so when things are not going right you have to change a few things around, which I did last year. I changed coaches and I'm now with Gary Edwin."
He became part of the golfing elite when he held off then world number one Tiger Woods to win the US Open in 2005.
"I have gone back to the way I used to swing the club. The biggest mistake I made after winning the US Open was changing too many things. I do not know why but I did it. When I think about it, it makes me mad. When you see a friend of mine, Darren Clarke, winning The Open it shows that age is no barrier. That is really encouraging and it has inspired me," added the Kiwi.
Defending champion Liang Wenchong from China was unable to compete this week as he is playing the US PGA Championship after his outstanding eighth place finish last year.
The 44-year-old Thai has played seven practice rounds in nine days at Suwan Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the OneAsia event for the first time this week.
"I feel that this could be one of my last chances to win the Thailand Open. The new generation of Thai golfers are taking over. I played here at Suwan last Monday to Friday and then again on Monday and Tuesday," said Thaworn.
He won the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta in July for the 16th big win of his illustrious career.
It was his first victory on OneAsia and success this week would mean the first time a player has won back-to-back titles on the fast-rising circuit.
"The course here doesn't really suit my game that is why I need to practice. It means everything to win the Thailand Open. I have not much more to achieve in the game. My hopes are very high even though I have played here twice in tournaments and not done well. I am really motivated," added Thaworn.
This week's event is the eighth tournament on this season's OneAsia, which boasts 13 events each with prize money of over US$1 million.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee is also competing in attempt to win the title for the first time along with a host of star players including Shigeki Maruyama and Shingo Katayama from Japan, New Zealand's Michael Campbell, Australian Andre Stolz and Korea's Kim Dae-hyun.
Thaworn jumped to third place on the OneAsia Order of Merit with victory in the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta and can leapfrog the second-placed Stolz and leader Kim Kyung-tae of Korea by picking up his second successive winner's cheque of US$180,000.
Thongchai has arrived with minor back problems and is also working on swing changes.
"I am about 60 to 70 percent fit at the moment so it will be difficult. However, it is the Thailand Open so I will be concentrating 100 per cent. With my new swing I hope to play at a higher level but it will take time," said Thongchai.
His best finish in the event came in 2000 when he placed second behind South African Des Terblanche in Hua Hin. That was the year he claimed his first title on the Asian circuit, in the Korean Open. He has since gone on to win 13 tournaments on that tour and three Order of Merit of titles.
"The Thailand Open is the country's legendary tournament. I have a lot of experience in the event. I think I have played in it 10 times. In my opinion this may not be my time to win it but I hope a Thai golfer can win," added Thongchai.
Only two Thais have won their home Open with Suthep Meesawat triumphing in 1991 and Boonchu Ruangkit following him into the winner's circle in 1992 and 2004.
Boonchu withdraw from the tournament earlier this week due to a back injury he picked up at the US Senior Open two weeks ago.
Campbell, a regular visitor to Asia during the early part of his career, has been showing glimpses of good form this year helped by making some changes to his game.
He said: "Obviously in golf, it is like a business so when things are not going right you have to change a few things around, which I did last year. I changed coaches and I'm now with Gary Edwin."
He became part of the golfing elite when he held off then world number one Tiger Woods to win the US Open in 2005.
"I have gone back to the way I used to swing the club. The biggest mistake I made after winning the US Open was changing too many things. I do not know why but I did it. When I think about it, it makes me mad. When you see a friend of mine, Darren Clarke, winning The Open it shows that age is no barrier. That is really encouraging and it has inspired me," added the Kiwi.
Defending champion Liang Wenchong from China was unable to compete this week as he is playing the US PGA Championship after his outstanding eighth place finish last year.