Thai golf amateurs battle for Asian Games spots

Thai amateurs hope to do well at the Thailand Open to secure Asian Games berths.

Poom Saksansin is one of the six Thai amateurs vying for a spot in the national team for the Guangzhou Games.

Six Thai amateurs will be playing in the US$1 million event which tees off tomorrow and national Coach Gerry Norquist will monitor them at Burapha Golf Club.

Four players will be picked for the squad for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November. Norquist will announce his players on September 15.

Atiwit Janewattananond, a leading contender, said he is confident that he will be able to impress the Coach as he has been playing well.

"I hope I make the cut," said the 14-year-old.

He shot to fame at the Asian Tour International earlier this year when he became the youngest golfer to make the cut on the tour at the age of 14 years and 71 days.

Since then, he has improved considerably and also trained in Australia for one month.

"My son is getting better and stronger. He is ready for the challenge here," said his father Kajorndej.

Poom Saksansin, 17, said that he would try to enjoy the game and not to think too much about anything else.

Ninth grader Korntawach Julamool said he could do well here if the wind is not blowing.

It will be the second time that he has played alongside professionals after making the cut in a local event in Kanchanaburi last week.

The other three Thai amateurs are Atthachai Jaichalad, Ratanon Whannasrichan and Vasin Sripattranusorn. Natipong Srithong and Supakorn Utaipat are playing in Taiwan.

Norquist said he has been impressed by Poom's form although he has not yet had anyone on his mind for China.

"Poom has a solid game while Atiwit is amazing," he said.

There will be 56 Thais in this week's tournament led by veteran Thaworn Wiratchant.

Only two Thai players - Suthep Meesawat (1991) and Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004) - have won the Thailand Open and Thaworn hopes he will be the third.

"I would love to win my home Open," said the 43-year-old Thaworn who has won 11 times on the Asian Tour.

"It is the tournament every Thai player wants to win because we are playing for the King's Trophy."

The tournament features China's Liang Wen-chong who shot a course record 64 in the third round of the PGA Championship to finish eighth.

"I am looking to win more events on OneAsia this season," said Liang.

"I am currently No.2 on the Order of Merit and my target it to win the money list title this season."

Also in the event is Japan's Shingo Katayama who has won US$17.3 million in prise money in his homeland.