Thongchai Jaidee had some extra good news to celebrate yesterday after he was crowned Asian number one. The Thai, who won the Asian Davidoff PGA Tour's Order of Merit, received the news that he would soon be a father. 'My wife, Namfon, had some good news for me as well. She is two months pregnant with our first child. My family has supported me throughout my career and I'm very happy. On tour, I also feel like I'm home because of the Asian PGA staff,' the elated Thongchai said.
Thongchai finished in fine style yesterday, shooting a six-under-par 65 to aggregate 15-under 269. He was seven shots off the pace in joint-13th position. The effort was more than enough to see the former Thai Army paratrooper land the Order of Merit. His US$10,712 purse boosted his earnings this year to US$353,060. In second place was Korean Charlie Wi who collected $315,857. It was the first time since the Asian Tour was formed back in 1995 that players had broken the $300,000 barrier.
The affable Thai already has plans how to spend his well earned booty. 'I'm going to buy a new Mercedes. But the dealer back home didn't have my favourite colour which is bronze, so I will have to wait.' Thongchai clinched the money list title when he finished joint second at last week's BMW Asian Open in Taiwan, the richest event on the Tour this year. He earned US$129,920 for that effort. This week he has been a figure of consistency scoring rounds of 67, 70, 67 to add to yesterday's 65.
'The difference in my game this year is that I'm mentally better and my putting has improved,' he said. While emerging as Asian number one was a landmark, he said the highlight of his year was playing in the US Open, where he featured in all four rounds having qualified. 'I hope to play for several seasons in Japan and will then try to break into the US Tour. Playing in the US and in the Majors is my goal. All the top golfers play in those events.' If he does, his Mercedes dealer back in Lop Buri better make sure that he is stocked up in bronze cars.