World No.34 Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat are ready for a tough challenge at the British Open which begins today at Royal Liverpool.
Although it will be Thongchai’s first appearance at Hoylake, the six-time European Tour winner is in a confident mood following a series of good results.
After winning his second title on European soil at the Nordea Masters in Sweden last month, Thongchai finished tied for fifth at the BMW International Open in Germany and was a joint runner-up at the French Open.
“The feeling is good,” said Thongchai.
“I’m feeling confident after winning in Sweden and finishing in the top five in Germany and France. Everything comes up when you have confidence. I’ve been working hard with my coach Peter Wolfenstetter this year and my game is feeling good.”
But the former soldier was cautious about his chance at Royal Liverpool.
"It is always challenging to play at the Open," said Thongchai, who tied for 48th at last week’s Scottish Open.
In his previous seven attempts at the Open, Thongchai, 44, made the cut four times with his best result being joint 13th in 2009 at Turnberry.
His coach Wolfenstetter tipped his student to challenge for a first major victory.
“He’s got good brains and a strong mind,” said the German. “With experience, he has learned to hit various shots under different kinds of condition which is a key point in his development. He now knows how to see the shots required and he will be able to adjust accordingly.
“He certainly has the ability to win a major, even this week. At the Open, luck will play a part as you always need to be on the good side of the draw.”
Today, Thongchai will tee off at 7.27pm (Thai time) alongside Angel Miguel Jimenez of Spain and Bill Haas of the US.
In his first two majors this year, Thongchai reached the weekend rounds at the Masters but missed the cut at the US Open. He has also qualified for next month’s PGA Championship, the season’s final major.
Kiradech, 24, hopes to get a good result at Hoylake to kick-start his second half of the year.
The burly Thai has yet to find the form that earned him the Asian Tour’s money title last year.
He was joint fourth at the Indonesian Masters for his only top-10 finish this year. His world ranking has dropped to 106th from 59th at the end of last year.
“I have regained confidence in my shots,” said the golfer, who missed the cut at last week’s Scottish Open.
It will be his second appearance at the Open after missing the cut last year at Muirfield.
Kiradech, who is eligible for the tournament as the Asian Tour’s money winner last year, will play alongside Italian Edoardo Molinari and American Books Koepka today, starting at 1.20pm (Thai time).