Arnond seeks season turnaround at Chiangmai Golf Classic

Thailand’s Arnond Vongvanij hopes to turn the corner at the US$750,000 Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT which gets underway on Thursday.

After uncharacteristically missing seven out of eight Asian Tour appearances, Arnond took two weeks off to fix his swing and prepare for the Asian Tour event staged at the majestic Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai.

“I used a new driver at the start of the second half of the season and it had some issues with the face set-up. I started to compensate for it and by the time I realised what was the problem, my swing got used to the driver,” Arnond explained.

“I’ve been trying to cut off the bad habit and fix my swing for the last month or so. With that two weeks break, I felt like I got the hang of what to do with it now. I’m feeling good about my game,” he added.

Arnond will feature in the second edition of the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT alongside Major champions Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Jason Dufner of the United States and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand.

Nicknamed ‘Bank’ because he was born the night after his mother took her final examinations for her Masters degree in financial banking, Arnond is hoping that his hardwork will pay off this week.

“Mental wise, it has been good. I don’t usually have any problems with my mental game, even if I never play well. I feel like I’m getting close to where I want my game to be now. I won’t be giving myself too much expectation this week. I just want to enjoy the process and we will see how it goes,” said the 25-year-old.

Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka will continue to put on a brave face despite losing in a play-off at the Panasonic Open India last week.

After receiving encouraging words from his father Nandasena, who is a famous name on the old Asian circuit during the 1980s and 1990s, the stocky Perera hopes to continue his fine form at the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT where he finished tied 20^th last year.

“I spoke to my dad after every round last week and he gave me a lot of good advice. He was very happy with how I finished too. He thinks my win will come soon if I continue to play well,” said the 27-year-old Perera.

“I wasn’t disappointed even though I missed out on my first win. My game is in good shape so I am sure the win will come soon. I play good golf and I always believe in myself,” he added.

After recovering from a neck injury which he suffered in Macau last month, the lanky Steve Lewton of England is looking forward to a commendable result this week in hopes of boosting his Merit rankings where he currently occupies 11^thposition.

“I haven’t really played well since winning. I missed by one in Hong Kong Open. Hopefully I can regain my good form this week. I’m still hoping to finish in top-10 on the Order of Merit at the end of the season. That was another target of mine, apart from winning an Asian Tour event which I’ve already accomplished (in Chinese Taipei in October),” said Lewton.

The Chiangmai Golf Classic is supported by PTT Public Company Ltd, Advanced Info Service Plc, Toyota Motor Thailand Co.,Ltd., Siam Commercial Bank PCL, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Provincial Government of Chiangmai, Chiangmai Provincial Administrative Organisation, The Northern Golf Resort Association, Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Italian-Thai Development PLC, Advanced Information Technology Public Company Ltd, Sport Authority of Thailand, CAT Telecom Public Company Ltd, TOT Public Company Ltd,  Fenix Apparel and Accessories Co. Ltd., Ricoh (Thailand) Limited, Diageo Moet Hennessy Thailand, Panasonic Siew Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Jebsen & Jebsen Technology, Hytera Communications Corporation Limited, Oakley, Furama Chiangmai and Standard Tour Co.,Ltd.

Tickets can now be purchased at Thaiticketmajor at the following price:

ASIAN TOUR MEDIA ADVISORY

Prize Money: US$750,000 (winner’s purse: US$135,000)

Venue: Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai

Starts: From November 13, Thursday till November 16, Sunday.

Top Contenders: Jason Dufner (USA), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Noh Seung-yul (Kor), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha), Scott Hend (Aus) – defending champion, Antonio Lascuna (Phi), Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha), Prom Meesawat (Tha).

Meet the players at 11.00am, Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai Media Centre, November 12 (Wednesday)

–          Jason Dufner

–          Noh Seung-yul

–          Kiradech Aphibarnrat

–          Charl Schwartzel

–          Scott Hend

Fast Facts – 2014 Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT

1. The second edition of the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT will display world class golf at the beautiful Alpine Golf Resort from November 13-16.

2. An in-form Scott Hend of Australia, who won his sixth Asian Tour title at the Hong Kong Open last month, will once again display his excellent golf in an attempt to successfully defend his title.

3. Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and 2010 Order of Merit champion Noh Seung-yul of Korea spearhead the Asian challenge.

4. Local heroes Prom Meesawat, Chawalit Plaphol, Arnond Vongvanij, Chapchai Nirat, Chinnarat Padungsil, Panuphol Pittayarat, Pariya Junhasavadikul and Thaworn Wiratchant will spearhead the local charge at the 2014 Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT.

5. Major winners Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and Jason Dufner of the United States add class to the elite field.

6. Asian Tour winners Steve Lewton of England, Marcus Both of Australia, Richard T. Lee of Canada, Rashid Khan of India, Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh and Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei will also feature in the event.

7. More than 33 proven Asian Tour winners will chase for honours at the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT.

8.   21 countries will be represented at this prestigious event.

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