The jointly-sanctioned Omega European Masters will see a number of Asian Tour players take to the mountains in Switzerland this week. We’ve selected five players to keep an eye on throughout the four days at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club…
Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand)
Jaidee is the only player to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns. The Thai legend is a prolific winner on the European Tour as well, and sealed his eighth European Tour title at the 100th Open de France in style in July, beating the likes of Rory McIlroy to the prestigious crown. A former paratrooper in the Royal Thai Army, the 46 year old, who has two top ten finishes at the Omega European Masters, will be among the favourites this week.
Miguel Tabuena (Philippines)
Tabuena earned an Asian Tour card as an amateur at the tender age of 16 after finishing inside the top-40 at Qualifying School in 2011. He won his first Asian Tour title at the Philippine Open in 2015 and finished tied second at the Maybank Malaysia Championship earlier this year after shooting four rounds in the 60s.
The 21 year old, who also represented the Philippines in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, is currently fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and will make his debut at the Omega European Masters this week.
SSP Chawrasia (India)
Chawrasia is one of the success stories of the Asian Tour. The son of a greenkeeper at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in India, the 38 year old rose through the ranks and is now a four-time Asian Tour and three-time European Tour winner. Chawrasia fulfilled a lifetime ambition earlier this year when he won the Hero Indian Open, defeating Anirban Lahiri in a thrilling final round. He also represented India in the Olympics last month.
Thitiphun Chuayprakong (Thailand)
Nicknamed ‘Tote’ in Thai, which means doing things at a slow pace, Chuayprakong won his first Asian Tour title at the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open in February. It is a season of many firsts for the young Thai, who also made his Major debut at the U.S. Open in June at Oakmont. This will also be the 24 year old’s first time playing in the Omega European Masters.
David Lipsky (United States of America)
The 2014 Omega European Masters champion Lipsky returns to the mountains this week aiming to add a second European Tour title to his name. Born in Los Angeles, the 28 year old took to winning on the Asian Tour quickly, triumphing in just his third start at the 2012 HANDA FALDO Cambodian Classic.
That same year he finished 11th in the Order of Merit, in spite of his rookie status. A second round 64 helped him to victory at Crans-sur-Sierre two years ago, beating Graeme Storm in a play-off.
