Boonchu Ruangkit aims to put jetlag behind him and finish a fine season with a flourish as he attempts to seal the European Senior Tour Order of Merit at this week’s OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship.
The Thai, who has won four titles this season, tees it up in the 2010 finale at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo with a €39,259 lead over South African Chris Williams, meaning a third place finish or better in the €400,000 event would guarantee he claims the John Jacobs Trophy as the leading Senior Tour player.
Ruangkit has made the long journey from Japan to Spain after competing in last week’s Japan Senior Open Golf Championship, where he led going into the final round before finish in a tie for fourth place.
The 54 year old will hope history repeats itself in Spain after Mike Harwood made a similar journey last year before capturing the title in Castellón and earning the Senior Tour Rookie of the Year title, an honour which Ruangkit will also seal this week.
“I’m feeling quite tired after the long trip from Japan but it is important for to do well this week,” he said. “It’s important for me to win the Order of Merit as a reward for all of the work that I have done this season.
“I felt in good shape coming into this season and thought I might be able to win once but I never thought I would win four times.
“I’ve wanted to play as much as possible and I think over the season precision has been the key to my game. It would be nice to finish it off this week and win the Order of Merit.”
Ruangkit has fond memories of his previous visit to Spain last month when he captured his fourth victory of the season in the Benahavis Senior Masters, to add to earlier wins in Brunei, Thailand and South Africa.
Williams, who has been drawn alongside Ruangkit and Harwood for the first round, has yet to break his duck on the Senior Tour but has 11 top ten finishes to his name this season – the most of any player.
He is looking to repeat the achievement of Sam Torrance, who last year overturned Ian Woosnam’s €19,380 advantage to claim the John Jacobs Trophy by just €3,380 in the closest Order of Merit race since 2000.
“I know what I need to do this week – I need to play well and I need to win,” said Williams. “Only a win will do really and even then I have to rely on Boonchu not playing well and finishing fourth or worse.
“My game is not too bad at the moment though. I’m still not driving too well so if I can improve on that I might have a chance.
“It’s been a great year for me. I’ve not played as well in the second half of the season but to get 11 top ten finishes is a great achievement. The only thing that is missing is a win.
“It would be great to go out and get that first victory here this week. Mike Harwood didn’t win last year then came here and did it so hopefully I can do the same. There are so many great players though, so winning isn’t easy on this Tour.”
Williams believes accuracy is important on the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo course that hosted the CASTELLÓN MASTERS Costa Azahar last month, when teenage Italian sensation Matteo Manassero captured his maiden European Tour title.
“Driving well is important here,” said Williams. “There are a lot of trees so if you can avoid those and keep it on the fairway and out of the rough you’ll have a chance.”
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