Rattanon gunning for repeat success
CHACHOENGSAO: Young talent Rattanon Wannasrichan aims to become only the second local player to win multiple Thailand Open titles when the event gets underway tomorrow.
The 22-year-old became the fourth player from the Kingdom to win his national championship last year and will be eyeing a successful title defence at the Thai Country Club, which he rates as his favourite course.
Thai legend Boonchu Ruangkit is the only local player to win the prestigious event twice in 1992 and 2004.
There will be extra motivation for Rattanon to do well this week as the Thailand Open marks the start of the 2018-2019 Panasonic Swing race which will see players battle it out in an aggregate points ranking at five selected tournaments across Asia.
“It feels good to be back here. I want to try and win again. If I can putt as good as I did last year, I believe I have a chance. The greens are quite firm this year and it will be difficult to get up and down around the greens. If you hit the greens, you will have a better chance at getting birdies,” he said.
“When I smile, I don’t feel nervous. I feel relaxed. I just want to follow the same game plan and hope to sink my putts. Last year, I was very proud when I became only the fourth Thai player to win the Thailand Open. It is a very good record for me because it was also my first Asian Tour title.
“I really like this golf course. It is not my home course but I like the hot weather here.”
Joining the young Thai in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event are India’s Rahil Gangjee, who is the highest-ranked player in third place on the money list and newly-crowned Asian Tour champion, John Catlin of the United States.
Gangjee is still feeling the after-effects of ending a 14-year wait for a second Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship in April. His confidence is still high but the 39-year-old prefers to keep his expectations low.
“Confidence is the key thing in golf. It is like a chicken and egg situation. You play well and get confidence or you have confidence and play well? The key word is ‘confidence’ whichever way you get it,” he said.
Catlin, 28, won his first Asian Tour title at the Asia-Pacific Classic in China last month and is relishing the opportunity to contend at the Thailand Open.
The American is confident of doing well in the country where he has set up his base since coming to Asia two years ago.
“Thailand always feels like a home away from home ever since I came here two years ago. The people here are friendly and the food is good. It has been a great home base for me. As long as I’m playing the Asian Tour, I will definitely be based in Thailand,” he said.