CHINNARAT TURNS ATTENTION TO INAUGURAL YEANGDER TPC

Taipei, September 14: Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil believes that he has the mental ability to overcome disappointment and put in a strong performance at this week’s inaugural Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) which starts on Thursday.

The 21-year-old suffered a setback in Singapore last week when he missed the weekend cut by two shots. However, he is ready to make up for that disappointment with another worthy performance that has given him much success at a young age.

“I really wanted to do well in Singapore last week but I was let down by many aspects of my play. It was disappointing as I would have hoped to extend my stay in Singapore.

Anyway, it’s a brand new week here in Taipei and I know that I can find my form back again,” said Chinnarat of this week’s US$300,000 full field Asian Tour event which will be held at the Linkou International Golf Club in Taipei.

The young Thai first broke into the scene in style by emerging as the youngest ever winner to win an Asian Tour title at the age of 17 years and five days in 2005. He has since gone on to win another two more titles on the Asian Tour and is eyeing that fourth title which will cement his status as one of the stars of the future.

“I started playing golf when I was eight and it’s something that I love doing. The pressure will always be there to excel especially since I achieved much success when I was only 17,” said Chinnarat.

“I’m ready for this week’s challenge in Taipei and I know that I can do well,” added the Thai who also won the World Junior Championship in the United States in 2005.

Meanwhile local prospect Chan Yih-shin who won his maiden Asian Tour title at the season-ending event in Bangkok last season is buoyed with confidence following his inspired performance at the Handa Singapore Classic in Singapore last week where he finished in tied-fifth.

The 33-year-old credits a relaxed approach to his good form and believes that it will be the key to success in front of the home crowd this week.

“Golf is a mental game. Besides playing well, you’ve got to learn to stay focus and not get too carried away especially when you are playing well,” said Chan.

“The ball is round and anything can happen in golf. But having said that, I know I’ve a good chance as I’ve been playing well and have the added advantage of playing at home this week,” added the ever-smiling Chinese Taipei player.

The Yeangder TPC is one of the four new events on the Asian Tour Schedule this season and will also feature a host of top stars including Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Philippines Angelo Que and Australia’s Andrew Dodt.

The Yeangder TPC’s will be broadcast live over two days on Era Television, a nationwide cable TV network in Chinese Taipei with highlights on the Asian Tour’s global television network which reaches to over 40 countries worldwide.

Broadcast partners of the Asian Tour include Guangdong Golf Channel and CCTV in China, PCCW in Hong Kong, ABS-CBN in the Philippines, StarHub in Singapore, Sportscast in Chinese Taipei, SportTV in Portugal, Fox International in the Middle East, Canal+ in Spain, Iko Balkan in Balkans, Skysports in the United Kingdom, FoxSports in Australia, ESPN Star Sports in India, CCTV in China, Indovision in Indonesia, Astro in Malaysia, JGolf in Korea, Viasat in Scandinavia and True Vision in Thailand.

About the Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Pan Pacific (Official Hotel), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball).