Thongchai Jaidee will join fellow home favourite Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the field at the Thailand Classic as the DP World Tour returns to the country from February 16-19.
Jaidee made history in 2004 as he became the first Thai golfer to win on the DP World Tour and the 53-year-old is now set to tee it up on home soil in the Tour’s first tournament in Thailand since 2016.
Although now mainly playing on PGA TOUR Champions, the American over-50s circuit, the eight-time DP World Tour winner said he could not miss an opportunity to play in his home country.
“I’m really excited to play in front of my home supporters again,” said Jaidee. “Although I now play mainly in the United States, I couldn’t pass up the chance to play on home soil in a DP World Tour event.
“We have been waiting for another opportunity to showcase our great country to the world and are looking forward to seeing fellow DP World Tour players at Amata Spring.”
Also set to join the home pair in Thailand is Europe’s victorious 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn alongside the next wave of Ryder Cup hopefuls in the Højgaard twins, Nicolai and Rasmus, and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
Bjørn, who masterminded Europe’s 17½ - 10½ victory over the United States at Le Golf National in 2018, returned to the winner’s circle last year as he won the Legends Tour’s season-ending MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius, while the Højgaards and MacIntyre have seven DP World Tour victories between them as they look to make their case for a spot in Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup side later this season.
“It’s exciting that we have the chance to return to the Far East to play golf again,” said MacIntyre, who was runner up to Victor Perez at the Challenge Tour’s Foshan Open, held in China, in 2018, and then finished T17 at the WGC-HSBC Champions, also held in China, in 2019. “Obviously it’s been a few years since we’ve been able to play in that part of the world but we’re looking forward to returning.
“I’ve not been to Thailand before, so I’m looking forward to experiencing another country, a new golf course and a new culture. I’ve heard great things about Amata Spring and it’s set to be a great week.”
Free general admission tickets for the Thailand Classic are available, with fans invited to register here.
