Tamsui: Suradit Yongcharoenchai has indicated a return to form is on the cards after a disappointing start to the season as he competes in the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
The Thai won the most lucrative golf event in Taiwan at Taiwan Golf and Country Club in 2019, when it was held before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the Asian Tour to a sudden halt.
Suradit said: "Now I've started to play good golf again, so I feel good. Earlier this year, my results were not so good, but now my game is coming along. Hopefully, the result will be good this week."
Earning his maiden, and still the only, Asian Tour victory at the event three years ago was a big milestone for the Thai.
"It was my first win on the Asian Tour. I'm really happy to have won. I was very excited," Suradit said.
At last week's Yeangder TPC, also in Taiwan, the 23-year-old fired a final round five-under-par 67 to finish tied 22nd following three missed cuts in a row.
He is hoping a return to Taiwan Golf and Country Club will inspire him to an improved performance this week.
The narrow tree-lined course is not one of the longer ones on the Asian Tour, but the greens are tricky.
Suradit think this works in his favour as the course suits his game.
"I like the Tamsui course because it is a little bit narrow, and I like narrow courses. And the greens are very hard to putt but it's fine for me," he said.
Although the Taiwan Masters has been dominated by Taiwanese winners throughout its history, Thai players have a good record in the event with legends such as Boonchu Ruangkit and Thaworn Wirathchant winning the trophy in 1998 and 2004 respectively. Also Pariya Junhasavastikul took the title in 2010 in a play-off with Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh.
Players from the Kingdom are well known for having an affinity to playing golf in Taiwan and Suradit, nicknamed "Art," is no exception.
"I like the food in Taiwan and the milk tea, and I have a lot of friends here," he said with a smile.
Suradit's win in 2019 helped him finish fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit which also earned him playing rights on the DP World Tour.
He spent much of 2021 playing in Europe, gaining valuable learning experience playing in different conditions and on unfamiliar courses.
Should Suradit manage to be victorious this week, he will be the first foreigner to win the event more than once.