KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng has been found to have inflamed intestines and not appendicitis.

The 42-year-old from Hua Hin was initially believed to have appendicitis when he was in Japan earlier this week.

He felt uncomfortable before taking part in the Pro-Am event and was forced to withdraw from the lucrative Japan Open which teed off yesterday.

But another check-up in Bangkok yesterday found that he had inflamed intestines and did not need surgery.

Doctors said the condition could be cured by taking medicine for three weeks. As he now does not need a long break, he will fly to Japan next week.

Currently ranked fourth on the Japan Golf Tour's money list, Prayad aims to finish the season as number one. He took the top spot after winning two events earlier this year but has since failed to deliver.