Thongchai, Pornanong lead condolences for Paris dead
Echoing the sentiments of the Thai sports fraternity, golf aces Thongchai Jaidee and Pornanong Phatlum yesterday offered their condolences to the people affected by last week’s deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
Thongchai, who has been playing on the European Tour since 2005, said he was shocked by Friday’s attacks in the French capital.
He got the news while playing at the BMW Masters, which concluded on Sunday in Shanghai.
“I am absolutely shocked and feel really sorry for the victims and their relatives,” said the seven-time European Tour winner who has jumped four places to world No.28 after the Shanghai event.
LPGA player Pornanong was also saddened by the incident “in the country that hosts the Evian Championship”, one of the five major tournaments.
“I cannot believe that such an attack has happened in France,” said the Chaiyaphum native. “I am deeply shocked and I feel really sad for all those affected by the tragedy.”
Thongchai will this week play at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the season-ending tournament of the European Tour.
Joining him at the US$8 million event will be three-time winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
Pornanong is scheduled to compete in the $2 million Tour Championship in Florida. She is currently ranked 37th on the money list.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy still has his nose in front in the Race to Dubai but the 2015 European Tour season is set for a sprint to the line after his challengers closed in at the weekend.
Second-placed Danny Willett narrowed the gap on Sunday to an almost negligible 1,613 points after McIlroy’s decision to skip the BMW Masters.
“It’s going to be close, but regardless of what happens I guess I have to beat Rory in Dubai,” said Willett, whose bogey on the par-three 17th at Lake Malaren on Sunday left him tied 28th and cost him the chance to tee up on Thursday as the race leader.
Willett’s fellow Englishman Justin Rose moved up to third in the standings after finishing tied seventh in Shanghai.
“Close but no cigar around this course,” said world No.6 Rose, who is 650,999 points adrift of leader McIlroy.