Jazz relishes playing with the best players in world
BAY HILL: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond will make his first appearance at the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, which tees off today.
“I’m very excited to play in these tournaments,” said Jazz, who finished T53 in the WGC-Mexico Championship two weeks ago.
“It’ll be my first time in many of these events. I’ve always watched them on TV and playing against these players, I just love it.
“I don’t think there’s any explanation to that. In tournaments like the Players, Arnold Palmer and WCGs, you’re playing the best in the world. I’m keen to see how different I am to the best in the world.”
Jazz is in this week’s field by virtue of being in the world’s top-50.
Compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat finished T6 twice in 2015 and 2016 at Bay Hill but he is not in this week’s field.
After Im Sung-Jae’s breakthrough on the PGA Tour, all eyes will be on the Asian brigade at Bay Hill as to whom will rise to the top next.
The 21-year-old South Korean secured an impressive win at the Honda Classic over the weekend to reinforce his stature as one of the game’s rising stars where his CV includes being the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour player of the year and 2019 PGA Tour rookie of the year.
Compatriot An Byeong-Hun is amongst a strong Asian presence at the US$9.3 million tournament, which also features defending champion Francesco Molinari, reigning FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy, Australia’s Adam Scott and American Brooks Koepka.
China’s Zhang Xinjun plans to make a big impression in his debut appearance at the tournament.
With top-10s at the Safeway Open and Houston Open this season, the 32-year-old is seeking to improve on his 58th position on the FedEx Cup points list.
Other Asians in the field include Taiwan’s CT Pan, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and South Korea’s Kang Sun, all winners already on the PGA Tour, and India’s Anirban Lahiri.