Player
Profile :
From starting to
play the game with
a bamboo-shafted golf
club to two-times
ending the year with
the No.1 ranking in
Asia, Thongchai Jaidee
is Thailand’s golfing
phenomenon. His remarkable
consistency has ensured
him of an Asian top-five
year-end ranking for
the last six years.
The former Royal
Thai Army Ranger’s
year in 2006 was a
record-breaking one.
Jaidee became the
second Thai invited
to play at the highly
prestigious US Masters
and in July, he became
the first Thai to
play in all four rounds
of the British Open
at St. Andrews. At
the World Golf Championship
at The Grove in Herfordshire,
England, the Thai
star registered his
first top ten finish
with a six-under par
round of 65.
Two years ago, Jaidee,
who was sixteen when
he played his first
nine holes, became
the first Thai golfer
to win an event on
the European Tour,
in capturing the Malaysian
Open. Just as impressively,
he defended his title
successfully the following
year.
Jaidee is one of
Thailand’s tremendous
sporting treasures.
After his historic
win at the Malaysian
Open he was awarded
the great honor of
receiving a Thai diplomatic
passport.
Fortunately for golf,
Jaidee chose to forego
a career in football.
As a child, he dreamt
of Pele and playing
in midfield for Thailand’s
national football
team even though he
grew up in a house
in close proximity
to a golf course.
Jaidee’s athletic
talents are being
passed on to the next
generation generously
however, by means
of his golf academy
that specializes in
training young prodigies.
The second edition
of the Royal Trophy
sets the stage for
Thailand’s golfing
superman to reign
in a win against the
Ryder Cup holders.
Jaidee carries the
benefit of the experience
gained in being a
critical member of
the Asian Team in
the first edition
of the Royal Trophy
which attempted a
thrilling comeback
on the final day of
the inaugural Event.
He will be forever
part of Royal Trophy
folklore as, together
with Thaworn Wiratchant,
he secured the first
match win ever for
the Asian Continent
in the Championship
with a fantastic win
over European veterans
Nick Faldo and Ian
Woosnam.
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