Thongchai Jaidee is targeting victory in this week’s Iskandar Johor Open to continue his fine record on The European Tour in Asia, but he will be up against arguably the strongest field in the tournament’s history.
The Thai’s four European Tour titles have all come on his home continent, the last of which was in 2009, and he is confident he can make it a hat-trick of Malaysian wins at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club, having triumphed in the 2004 and 2005 Carlsberg Malaysian Opens.
A stellar line-up will stand in his way, however, as the five year old tournament makes its debut on The European Tour International Schedule, with three-time Major winner and defending champion Padraig Harrington, Ryder Cup-winning Captain Colin Montgomerie and former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen.
Jaidee said: “I heard last week that the course is in very good condition and I’m really looking forward to playing there. My game is getting better and my confidence is growing, so I’ll be going there to win it, like I do every week.
“It’s a course where you need to plan your way round it. If you don’t plan your game, the course will kill you. The greens are grainy, like many are in Asia, and I am used to that.
“I’ve only played in the Iskandar Johor Open once, in 2008 (where he finished tied ninth), and I would love to be in contention again this year. The event has truly grown over the years to become a leading event both on the Asian and European Tours.
“I have good memories of playing in Kuala Lumpur, winning twice, and it will be nice if I can also win in Johor. It won’t be easy as there are many good players, but I’ll give my best shot.”
Oosthuizen, who will be making his second appearance of the year in Malaysia, having played in the Maybank Malaysia Open in April, added: “I’m really looking forward to playing in Johor this month against some of the world’s best players.
“It is nice that I’m coming into form at the right time for the year-end swing. I’m eager to play well, and hopefully give the players a run for their money. Most importantly though, I'd like to have a good time."
The 2011 Iskandar Johor Open boasts a field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from the Asian and European Tours, eight invites, eight national qualifiers and six international qualifiers all contesting the US$2 million prize fund.
