Samui, Thailand; June 15: Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (pic) insists his head has been straightened out by a sports psychologist as he bids to end a five-year Asian Tour title drought at the Queen’s Cup starting on Thursday.
The 26-year-old, a former world junior champion, believes he has succeeded in slaying the demons in his mind after his form dipped in the last few years which saw him lose his Tour card.
But with three straight top-10s this season plus a recent triumph in the regional Singha Pattaya Open, the burly Prom, nicknamed Big Dolphin due to his hefty physique and the fact that he hails from the coastal town of Hua Hin, is ready to make a big splash again at the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club.
A top field has gathered for the US$300,000 event on the holiday isle of Samui including title holder Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan, Bangladeshi Siddikur, who is second on the Order of Merit, former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa of India, in-form South African Jbe Kruger, who is fourth on the rankings, and local stars Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Chinnarat Phadungsil, champion here in 2009.
“I’m very happy with my game. I’m still working with my coach and sports psychologist and the goal will be to maintain the form that I’ve been showing over the past few months,” said Prom today.
He credited mind guru Dr Pichit Namuangpo, who also works with Thailand’s world famous boxers, for turning his fortunes around so quickly. Prom was tipped for greatness when he won his first Asian Tour title in Korea in 2006 but the road to glory proved to be more windy than expected.
“Previously, when I didn’t play well, I started getting negative thoughts. When I got to the tee box, I would think if I would be going left or right with my shots. Now, I’m more relaxed.
I focus hard on my routine. I’ve managed to cut out the bad things in my head. These are part of the things that I’ve learnt,” said Prom, whose resurgence also saw him qualifying for the British Open next month.
Countryman Prayad, who has endured several near misses in Samui with two top-three finishes at the Bangkok Airways Open previously and was sixth in last year’s Queen’s Cup, picked Prom as the man to watch this week.
“On this course, a player who is consistent can do well, players like Prom can win. He seems to have found his game again,” said the 45-year-old Prayad, a six-time champion on the Asian Tour.
Prayad did not write off his own chances. “I’ve got a new driver in the bag and it’s been good. I feel good for this week and I feel relaxed being here. The Queen’s Cup is important for all Thai players and we want to win it to keep the trophy here,” he said.
As the highest ranked player in the field, Siddikur, one of Asia’s revelations last year, was delighted to be back in Samui where his career kicked started with a first ever top-10. “It was my turning point. Finishing top-10 gave me the experience and confidence to compete on the Asian Tour,” said Siddikur, who went on to finish seventh on the Order of Merit last year after becoming the first Bangladeshi winner on Tour.
“I like this place and I am looking forward to the week. It’s not an easy golf course. I have my expectation which is to try and win the tournament and hopefully I will get that.”
Title holder Hiratsuka warned his rivals that he would not be relinquishing his Queen’s Cup title easily, which is backed up by the fact he has yet to miss a halfway cut in 10 starts this season.
“I’m playing pretty good but it’s still not my best golf. But it’s close,” said the 39-year-old, the only man to win three titles on the Asian Tour last season.
“I’m happy to be back for the Queen’s Cup as I have good memories. I remembered I birdied the last two holes to win which was nice. Thailand has been good to me as I also won the Black Mountain Masters (in Hua Hin) last year and I qualified for the British Open earlier this season (in Bangkok).” – www.asiantour.com
