Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee is looking to make his mark at the majors this season after a memorable 2009.
Thai star out to emulate Yang's major success
Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee is looking to make his mark at the majors this season after a memorable 2009.
The Thai star, who became the first man in Asian golf history to win three Order of Merit crowns last year, has grand ambitions in 2010, insisting he feels confident of challenging for a first major title and emulating YE Yang's historic breakthrough at the USPGA Championship.
The former paratrooper enjoyed a spectacular 2009 by notching up two victories on the Asian Tour and missing only three cuts in 30 appearances worldwide.
"Yes, I do think I'm ready to win a major," Jaidee stated.
"I played very well at the British Open (he finished tied 13th) last year. I had so many three-putts that week.
"It was the best that I hit the ball at a major. I hit 14, 15, maybe 16, greens every day. But in four rounds, I had like seven or eight three-putts.
"If I had only taken two or three three-putts, I would have been in the play-off. But I know you can't think of it that way. I'll just keep working hard."
Inspiration
Like all in Asia, Jaidee was delighted when Yang, an Asian Tour honorary member, ended the region's wait for a male major winner by taking down Tiger Woods in a memorable head-to-head duel at the USPGA Championship last August.
The 40-year-old claims the breakthrough has given Asian players plenty of encouragement and a real sense of belief.
"The new generation of players are becoming better," he continued. "Golf in Asia has certainly improved. Last year, Yang won a Major and I was proud of that.
"The Asian Tour has given us a lot of tournaments and supported Asian professional golfers. There are a lot of players coming up now and there is support for them through the Asian Tour. We have a chance to become big players.
"Everyone dreams about the PGA Tour but it's not easy (to get there).
"If we continue to stage big tournaments in Asia, it will help golf to grow bigger. When I started playing in 1999, the prize money was small but it's really big here now."
Masters goal
Jaidee's third Merit title brings with it an exemption into July's Open Championship at St Andrews, while leading Asian players have traditionally received invitations to compete in the season's first major, The Masters at Augusta National in April.
He will also play in the WGC-CA Championship and the 64-man WGC-Accenture Match Play, should he retain his current world ranking of 63rd place.
"I want to get back into the top-50 in the world rankings and stay there," he added. "If you can do that, you are exempted into all the majors and World Golf Championships. Those are the events that I want to play well in.
"My biggest dream is The Masters. I know it's very difficult (to win it) but that's my dream.
"If I can get into The Masters again, I need to make the cut first. If I do, I would have made the cut in all the majors in my career.
"The second thing is if I can win a major, the Masters will be the one that I want most.
"When I played in The Masters in 2006, there were only 80 players in the field and it felt so good being there. Hopefully, I will get an invitation to The Masters again."
