Fiji: Thai prodigy Phachara Khongwatmai is hoping an adjustment in his swing will pay off at the Fiji International golf tournament which starts today.
"I just had my coach fix my down swing a bit when I went back home to Thailand last week so everything feels good for me right now," said the 18-year-old star.
"I have been playing quite a bit over the last few months so it's good to get back home and catch up with my coach last week. It's nice to be here in a new country this week. It's really beautiful here. I just want to play my best.
"The season has been pleasing for me so far. I had some opportunities to play in Europe as well and I've learnt a lot about the course, the weather and the playing conditions there. It's all good experience."
The US$1.4 million event at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course is tri-sanctined by the Asian Tour, European and PGA Tour of Australasia.
"This course is really challenging, especially when the wind picks up. It will surely be tough if the wind continues to blow like how it did today. But then again, everyone is playing in the same conditions. I won't give myself too much pressure. I will just deal with it step by step."
The other Thais in the tournament include Jazz Janewattananond and Panuphol Pittayarat.
Jazz, 21, has been in fine form after winning his first Asian Tour title at the Bangladesh Open in February.
He has notched three top-10 results in his last four starts on the Asian Tour.
"I haven't been to Fiji before but I have heard a lot of great things about the place. I have seen past footage of the tournament and I know it will be really challenging given the windy conditions on course. But whatever it is, I am very excited to be here," said Jazz.
Prior to his breakthrough win in Bangladesh, Jazz had been a monk for two weeks in Thailand and he said that experience strengthened his mental game and helped revive his career after losing his Asian Tour card last season.
Also in the field are major champions Vijay Singh of Fiji, Mike Weir of Canada and Angel Cabrera of Argentina, Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Scott Hend of Australia, South Korea's Wang Jeung-Hun and Malaysia's Gavin Green.
The 23-year-old Green has enjoyed a standout season so far, claiming three top-10 results, including two runner-up finishes in India and Taiwan.
He is wary of the blustery conditions with swirling winds of up to 20kph in the pro-am event yesterday.