THONGCHAI JAIDEE

ASIAN TOUR VICTORIES:
(8) 2000 Kolon Cup Korean Open; 2001 Wills Indian Open; 2002 Myanmar Open; 2003 Volvo Masters of Asia, Thailand, 2004 Myanmar Open, 2004 Carlsberg Malaysian Open, 2005 Carlsberg Malaysian Open, 2006 Volvo Masters of Asia, Thailand

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Thongchai Jaidee enjoyed a career high when he was invited to play in the US Masters in 2006, becoming only the second Thai to feature at Augusta National, but missed the halfway cut. Finished second in the weather-shortened Maybank Malaysian Open in his bid for a third straight victory. Also finished tied third in the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open. The former paratrooper finished second on the Order of Merit in 2005, thanks mainly to his victory in the Malaysian Open.

Thongchai Jaidee also made history in July by becoming the first Thai to play in all four rounds of the British Open at St Andrews and finished 54th on the European Order of Merit. In 2004, he won the Myanmar Open and Carlsberg Malaysian Open, which is co-sanctioned with Europe, back-to-back in February which helped him lift his second career Order of Merit title. The Malaysian triumph made him the first Thai to win on the European Tour and victory was made more memorable as he aced the 16th hole in the final round..

He wrapped up his 2004 season by winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown with a then record earnings of US$381,929 from nine events. In 2001 he also won the Order of Merit title in Asia, beating Korea’s Charlie Wi. Thongchai prevailed, thanks to his win in the Wills Indian Open and he had no fewer than 10 other top-10 finishes.

That year he also made headlines for qualifying and playing in all four rounds of the US Open. Also played in the British Open in 2002 but had to withdraw on the second day because of injury. Was part of the Asian team that won the 2003 & 2005 Visa Dynasty Cup against Japan.  In 2003, Thongchai won the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia on home soil, a week after he failed to earn his US PGA Tour card at Qualifying School Finals. In 1998 he won the individual and team title in the Putra Cup and won the amateur titles of Singapore and Thailand.

Thongchai Jaidee won the Putra Cup individual  title in 1997, and was a member of the Thai team that won the South East Asian Games in 1995. Claimed the Pakistan Amateur in 1995.

PERSONAL:
Thongchai turned pro late as he served as a Ranger in the Royal Thai Army, regularly making parachute drops. He was allowed to play plenty of golf and enjoyed a distinguished amateur career. When he was younger he represented his home province in football. Adored football great Pele before getting hooked to golf. First club was a three iron head stuck on a bamboo stick. After winning the Carlsberg Malaysian Open, the Thai government presented him with a diplomatic passport. In 2006, he opened his own golf academy with over 20 youngesters under his wing in Lopburi "as I want to give back to the game."

TEAMS
Visa Dynasty Cup: 2003 (winners), 2005 (winners)
The Royal Trophy: 2005