Thongchai eyes US Open place

Thongchai eyes US Open place

Thongchai Jaidee's fourth-placed finish at the Indonesian Masters over the weekend has propelled him to 59th position on the latest world rankings, which puts him in line for a third appearance at the US Open next month.

The evergreen Thai, a record three-time Asian Tour No.1, contended at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club throughout the week before settling for his sixth top-10 finish of the season.

The top 60 players in the world as of May 27 and June 10 will qualify for the year's second major at the Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania from June 13-16.

The 43-year-old made his major debut at the 2001 US Open where he finished tied 74th. It was also the same season when he became Asia's top player for the first time in his career. Thongchai subsequently qualified for the 2010 edition, finishing equal 47th but has not featured in the US Open since.

Sunday's outing was Thongchai's third consecutive top 10 which has also pushed him to become the highest-ranked Asian in the world. Austria's Bernd Wiesberger jumped 13 positions to 70th after winning the Indonesian Masters.

In the latest rankings, a total of 14 Asian Tour members are featured in the top 200.

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who is leading the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, is ranked 85th followed by South Korea's KJ Choi who is three places below.

Reigning Asian Tour No.1 Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand slipped three places to 92nd while Gaganjeet Bhullar of India is 96th.

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