Client News
Fit-again Thongchai ready for title defence
Jeju, Korea, 21 April 2010 - Thongchai Jaidee says he is “90 per cent” recovered from his recent elbow injury and is ready to defend his title at this week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
The injury – diagnosed as a muscle strain – forced him to withdraw during the second round of the Masters two weeks ago and he subsequently received treatment from a specialist attached to the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.
It healed sufficiently for him to finish joint eighth in last week’s China Open and he heads into the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship believing he is fully on the mend.
“The doctor gave me a cortisone injection and told me that with four days’ rest I could play in the next tournament,” revealed Thongchai. “He was a very good doctor and gave me a good chance to play last week.
“If I hadn’t got better, I would have cancelled last week and gone home. But I got to Shanghai and decided I could play and had a top 10 finish, so this week I hope it’s better again. It’s about 90 per cent right now. I practised nine holes yesterday and hit the ball very well.”
The Thai ace is eagerly looking forward to the Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx Golf Club on the picturesque island of Jeju, scene of his victory 12 months ago.
“The course is in great condition, it’s a good layout and very challenging,” he said. “We have a lot of strong players here this week, guys like Ernie Els, Anthony Kim and YE Yang and all the big names.
“It’s looking like a very good tournament. I have good memories of last year and I feel very comfortable playing here, so I hope to do well again this year.”
Thongchai battled through freakishly cold and windy conditions at Pinx last year for the biggest win of his career.
He forced a playoff against Spain’s Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and local hero Kang Sung Hoon, then sank a six-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to claim his fourth European Tour title.
Thongchai said his experience of playing in Europe had helped him cope with Jeju’s famously blustery conditions.
“I’ve spent about seven years on the European Tour and I’ve learned a lot, especially from playing on links courses,” he revealed. “The weather is almost the same as here. You have to keep the ball low. I practised a lot hitting the ball low and tried to get better every year.
“I looked at the weather forecast and it will be windy tomorrow, but hopefully for just one day. This golf course, if the wind is blowing, it’s difficult to play. The par threes are tough. But if you can get the ball on the green, then you can have a lot of good birdie chances.”
Also in the Ballantine’s Championship field are Henrik Stenson, who has six European Tour titles to his name, and the event’s 2008 winner, Graeme McDowell.
The tournament, which tees off on Thursday (22 April), is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.
About Ballantine’s
Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.
Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.
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Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.