Thais have the advantage, says reigning champ Thaworn

Thais have been winning His Majesty’s trophy except in 2009, the inaugural year, when Taiwan's Chan Yihshin took home the trophy. Arnond Vongvanich and Prayad Marksaeng claimed it in 2012 and 2013 respectively while the event was not held in 2011 and 2015.

“Since the trophy is donated by His Majesty, it’s important that Thais must try hard to win. I would love to win one more time but it won’t be easy,” said the 18-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn, whose last international win was at this event at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.

“As the defending champion, I’m quite determined to get good results but I have not been in good form lately. So making the cut at this stage will be my priority,” added the 49-year-old player, who picked Udorn and Prom Meesawat as the favourites to lift the trophy on Sunday.

“Thai golfers have the advantage, especially Udorn and Prom. Udorn hits straight and putts accurately. Prom is good off the tee, which gives him an edge on this course. I just hope that a Thai will win again this week,” added Thaworn, whose short game makes him a favourite on the course. The veteran, however, disputes the fact.

“Everybody says this course suits my game. But let’s not forget that I’m not the only good player here. Although the course is short, the green is not soft and there are a lot of slopes,” Thaworn explained.

“While I play on this type of course once a year, foreign players especially Europeans play on fast greens with a lot of slopes quite often.

That gives them some advantage.” He said short game alone would not be enough to win the title. “Every shot counts here.

If you don’t tee off well, it will be difficult to work on your approach shots to the greens, which are quite small with slopes. So good putts are also important. A little mistake and the ball rolls down the slopes. So you need to have perfect game on this course,” the former Asian Tour No 1 said.

Forty-five year old Udorn has four top-five finishes in the local events, including runner-up positions at the Rayong Green Valley in June and at the Burapha Golf and Resort in Pattaya, both in All Thailand Golf Tour series.

“Although the course sets up short, the green is a bit tough as the ball rolls pretty quickly. The practice round helped me to adjust to it. I think I have a good chance here,” said the Chiang Mai-born Udorn, who has not won a title after his 2010 King’s Cup success.

“I already have a game plan this week. There’s no need to use a driver as 3-wood should be enough to set up a good position and shoot scores. I’m quite confident with my form in my recent events and I expect to reach the top 5 or at least top 10,” said Udorn, a familiar face on the course as he lived in Pattaya for a year.