European Tour heads to Thailand

• Only six players in top 100 taking part in event at Hua Hin, Thailand
• £250,000 townhouse awaits player who gets ace on par-3 14th
• Scotland’s Marc Warren eyeing another strong performance

The European Tour visits Black Mountain GC in Hua Hin this week for the inaugural True Thailand Classic – but only six players inside the top 100 will be taking part.

Presented by Black Mountain, the tournament is the first in Thailand to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for eight years and has a prize fund of $2 million.

Last week’s winner at the Maybank Malaysian Open, world No.37 Anirban Lahiri, is the highest ranked player at the tournament with No.38 Thomas Bjorn, No.39 Thongchai Jaidee, No.45 Miguel Angel Jimenez, No.48 Marc Warren and No.67 Koumei Oda the only other players inside the top 100 who are preparing to take to the Black Mountain course.

However, despite the lack of strength in the field, Danish Ryder Cup star Bjorn has been embracing the event prior to his 8am tee time tomorrow (1am UK time) by dressing up as a Muay Thai boxer along with Thai native and ambassador for the competition Jaidee and Swede Johan Edfors.

The European Tour tweeted:

And the fun and games will continue on the par-3 14th hole throughout all four days as an exclusive, luxury townhouse at Black Mountain, valued at just shy of £250,000, will await the player who records a hole-in-one.

The 150-strong field will be made up of 35 Thais, including Jaidee, who expects to see a strong showing from his fellow countrymen.

Speaking to the European Tour website, he said: “Thai players should do pretty well but it will all depend on the timing and opportunity. I think a Thai player has a chance to win this week. This is a co-sanctioned event so there are many talented players from both the European Tour and Asian Tour.”

Warren, meanwhile, will be eyeing another strong performance at Black Mountain after three consecutive top 15 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

The 33-year-old is currently eighth on the Race to Dubai standings and is one of four Scots in the field alongside Scott Jamieson, David Drysdale and Chris Doak.

The European Tour in Thailand :: Your thoughts

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