September 7, 2010  Print Email | Thongchai is highest earning Asian golfer
Tops the $3 million mark
Posted by Agencies at 12:18 PM GMT on Mar 02, 2009 | SINGAPORE (AFP): Thongchai Jaidee has become the first Asian Tour player to surpass $3 million in career earnings by winning the Indonesia Open.
The 39-year-old Thai rewrote the Asian Tour record books yesterday with an unprecedented 11th career victory as his money haul soared to $3.13 million, cementing his place as the all-time highest earner on Tour.
"It was terrific to see Thongchai win in Indonesia and become the player with the most number of career victories in the region," Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han. "I am sure he will want to build on his latest success and challenge for a record third Order of Merit title and also achieve success away from Asian shores.
"I know he wants to compete regularly in the Majors and he's a great inspiration to many aspiring young golfers and a terrific ambassador for Asian golf."
Thongchai won by two strokes in Indonesia, adding to back-to-back victories in Vietnam and Cambodia last season to go one clear of countryman Thaworn Wiratchant's 10 Asian titles.
"It’s a great feeling," said Thongchai, who turned professional only a decade ago as he was committed to representing Thailand in the Asian Games.
Before the start of the new season, he set himself a goal of winning a title in Asia and Europe as well as breaking into the world’s top 50, which he knows will come with exemptions to many of the Major championships.
"I’ve been trying to do that for a long time [get into the world’s top 50] and I have not been able to make it - but now I think that I have a very good chance," said the Thai, who is now ranked 71.
While he will hit 40 years old in November, Thongchai feels that he could compete at the highest level for a while yet. "I'll turn 40 this year, but it's only a number. I’m still feeling strong and I'm confident that I can still win regularly over the next few years," said Thongchai, Asia’s number one in 2001 and 2004. "It's all about keeping yourself fit which is very important. I’m feeling stronger now and I’m slowly building up my fitness to a good level again."
The Asian Tour heads to the holiday island of Phuket for the Singha Thailand Open this week with Thongchai among the stars chasing for honours.
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