Thongchai Jaidee has reflected on his rise through the ranks ahead of this week’s Maybank Championship, as the great and good of both the Asian Tour and the European Tour once again unite for the co-sanctioned event.
This week's tournament sees the European Tour return to Saujana Golf and Country Club, the scene of the first co-sanctioned event between the Asian and European Tour - the 1999 Malaysian Open.
Since then, the relationship between the two Tours has blossomed, leading to last year's introduction of a Strategic Alliance.
This bond has allowed many players to thrive, including eight-time European Tour winner Jaidee.
We’ve got a strong field from Europe this week but I do think we have a good chance to get a winner from the Asian Tour - Thongchai Jaidee
The 47 year old has fond memories of Saujana, having earned his first co-sanctioned victory at the Malaysian Open there in 2004 before successfully defending the title at the same venue in 2005.
He said: "I’ve won twice at Saujana in 2004 and 2005, which was very important for my career.
"That’s why I love this golf course. A two-time winner. My life changed from here. On the last day in 2004, I made a hole in one on the 16th hole during the final round and I won by two shots.
"One shot changed my life. It made me who I am today. That’s why I love coming back to Malaysia. It’s like my second home. I have a lot of friends and fans’ support here.
"It’s a good chance for the Asian Tour players to win the tournament. It’s an open field.
"A very consistent player will do well. You need to hit the fairways and don’t really need to be long.
"I think there’s a good chance for the Asian Tour players to win. A lot of our young players are coming up. We’ve got a strong field from Europe this week but I do think we have a good chance to get a winner from the Asian Tour."
Another Asian player hoping to benefit from the close relationship between the Tours is home favourite Gavin Green.
It is a good opportunity for me because you get to meet all the European guys, the Asian guys - Gavin Green
He said: "Everybody is good and you need to play good golf to win. It doesn’t matter what event it is.
"It is a good opportunity for me because you get to meet all the European guys, the Asian guys.
"You get to hang around them and see what they do. It is a learning curve for me and I’m still learning."
