Thomas Bjørn hopes to outsmart his opponents at this week’s True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain.
The Dane, who turns 44 next week, expects a week of low scoring at Black Mountain Golf Club, but admits he will need to be sharp around the greens in order to compete for the €289,862 winner’s cheque come Sunday.
“It’s an interesting golf course in the sense that you feel as if there are a lot of opportunities out there,” said Bjørn, whose 2015 campaign has so far been hampered by a back injury.
“It has the most interesting set of greens I’ve seen for a while – very fast and tricky.
“The scoring will be good, but you will have to play a lot with your brain; you can’t be too aggressive because you’ll leave yourself some horrendous putts. It’s about being smart and at the same time there are birdie opportunities, so you have to balance out being aggressive and being clever.
“Everything is in good shape; I’m coming off a good break and I’m raring to go.
“I’m feeling pretty happy with where I am, if perhaps not 100 per cent. You’re never quite sure how it will go until the gun goes, but I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and trying to make some birdies – I think it will take a few.
“I went through a rough spell in January with my back and struggled to get out of bed for the best part of a couple of weeks, but that’s recovered now.
“I’m still feeling a little bit sore and a little bit stiff, but I’m through it and don’t have anything that causes me any problems. Playing now is feeling better and better each day, and the heat certainly won’t hurt it this week!”
This is the first of five new events on The Race to Dubai in 2015, and marks a European Tour return to Thailand after an eight-year absence – something Bjørn believes is important given the prominence of Thai players in recent years.
“We had some very successful tournaments in Thailand in the past, and Thailand was a big part of when we extended the Tour outside Europe,” he added.
“It’s important for what we’re about. From the players’ point of view, we have all nationalities and Thai players have been very successful, especially Kiradech [Aphibarnrat] and Thongchai [Jaidee]. It’s been a long time coming, so it’s right that we are back in Thailand.”
As well as home favourites Aphibarnrat and Jaidee, 15-time European Tour winner Bjørn will also have to overcome Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez, last week’s winner Anirban Lahiri and in-form Scot Marc Warren.
