Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson yesterday praised Thailand for producing good players.
Mickelson, who is also known as 'Lefty', is here to compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok, which tees off today at Stonehill in Pathum Thani.
"I think that Thailand has done really a great job of developing good, talented young players, and you're starting to see those players prosper and play well throughout the world," the American star told a press conference.
"From Prom Meesawat to Kiradech [Aphibarnrat], and TK [15-year-old amateur Ratchanon Chantananuwat] is of rare talent.
"He's going to be something special. We're seeing now the good young players from this country start to compete and show how good they are on the professional level."
The 52-year-old veteran also praised Stonehill and said he likes several things here in his first visit to Thailand.
"I'm very impressed with the quality of the food. I love the food. So I have to be careful. I am very impressed with the golf course. This is my first exposure, first time in Thailand, and the golf course is remarkable," Mickelson said.
"Obviously it's in incredible shape. I don't know if I've seen a golf course in this good a condition. But it's also a wonderful design, very fun to play, great risk reward, and I'm very glad to see such world-class architecture, design and golf in other parts of the world and right here in Thailand."
He said Asia-Pacific could be one of the biggest fan bases for the team concept of LIV Golf.
"The team concept is very well received in this part of the world here in Southeast Asia. I've also noticed a strong interest and appreciation for LIV Golf coming here, and I've noticed that there are a lot of people flying in from other countries to be here and to be a part of this and watch," he said.
"The way that LIV Golf is being received here and welcomed and wanted in Thailand and other countries here in Southeast Asia, I think that there's a very good chance we'll have more events here."