FARMINGDALE, New York: The Jazz man from Thailand made some music at his first PGA Championship on Friday, and it was really sweet.
Jazz Janewattananond has shot rounds of 70 and 68, and his two-round total of 2 under par has him tied for 10th place at Bethpage Black, even if his full last name doesn’t fit on the leaderboard.
And while he’s 10 shots behind defending champion Brooks Koepka — who is seven strokes ahead of his nearest pursuers — Jazz has fared far better than some of golf’s greatest names so far this week. Just ask Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia, who are among the luminaries who missed the cut.
“My expectation was to come out here and have some fun and see what majors are all about,” Jazz said. “It’s the first time on the East Coast. I am enjoying myself. I’m really happy I put up a good score, so it exceeded my expectations for sure.”
Currently 72nd in the world rankings, Jazz is hoping for a top-10 finish to propel him into the top 60 in order to qualify for the US Open. He is currently first on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a win and four other top-10 finishes in seven events. His Asian Tour victory in Singapore earlier this year allowed him to book a place at the 2019 Open Championship, which will be played in Northern Ireland in July.
Many believe Jazz can also become a regular presence on the PGA Tour alongside compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who is currently ranked 41st in the world. Kiradech shot a 68 on Friday but after a 76 the day before he ended the second round at 144, just above the cut line.
This week has been a blast for Jazz, whose real name is Atiwit — his music-loving father chose his nickname. He arrived last Friday after a 22-hour flight from Thailand and met up with a friend in New Jersey. They visited New York City on Saturday.
“It kind of wowed me a bit,” said Jazz. “Maybe I didn’t get over that. That’s why I didn’t feel the pressure.”
The size of the gallery at Bethpage is staggering and he doesn’t know how to react to people shouting his name. Jazz, he gets. There have been some funny attempts at his last name.
“I try not to remember it,” he said.
Jazz has been consistent for 36 holes, with six birdies and four bogeys. When he has found trouble in the tall, thick rough on the public course, he has punched out and found ways to save par. He made par-saving putts of 12 feet on No.5, 43 feet at No.9 and 11 feet at 12. He also missed a 9-footer for birdie on his final hole.
Club pro Tyler Hall of Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey played with Jazz the first two rounds and was impressed, especially with his ability to recover.
“That’s what great players in this game can do,” Hall said.
Jazz is trying to savour the next few days.
“I am out here without expectations,” he said. “So even if I shoot 90 tomorrow, I won’t mind it. You know, just being here is already good.”
Jazz bumped into Tiger Woods on Monday and congratulated him on winning the Masters.
When asked if Woods, whose mother is Thai, knew who he was, Jazz laughed.
“He had no idea,” he said. “He probably thought I was some random kid on the range.”
If Jazz continues to play well, Woods may get to know him.