Thais seek end to Phl Open spell

MANILA, Philippines - Despite boasting of world-caliber players, Thailand has never scored victory in the Solaire Philippine Open.

But the country’s chief rival in various regional competitions is determined to end it all this week with a full 24-player roster all primed up for the $400,000 event firing off Thursday at The Country Club in Laguna.

Jazz Janewattananond, No. 17 in the current Asian Tour Order of Merit, banners the crack Thai contingent in the country’s premier championship – and Asia’s oldest National Open – at the par-72 Tom Weiskoph-designed course spruced up to championship form.

Ittiphat Buranatanyarat, who won the Asian Development Tour leg at Sherwood in 2015, is also in the fold together with Chinnarat Phadungsil, who at 17 became the youngest winner on the Asian Tour when he ruled the Double A International Open at home in 2005 as an amateur.

Thaworn Wiratchant, meanwhile, hopes to provide the experience and poise for the Thai delegation but the 18-time Asian Tour champion, now 51, will have to slug it out with the young but long hitters in the event sponsored by Solaire Resort and Casino and held in cooperation with Meralco and PLDT.

Other Thais seeing action are Arnond Vongvanij, Atthaphon Sriboonkaew Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, Chawalit Plaphol, Gunn Charoenkul, Kevin Techakanokboon, Namchok Tantipokhakul, Panakorn Uthaipas, Panuwat Muenlek, Peradol Panyathanasedh, Piya Swangarunporn, Poom Saksanin, Poosit Supupramai, Raththee Sirithankunsak, Rattanon Wannasrichan, Sattaya Supupramai, Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Sutijet Kooratanapisan and Thammanoon Sriroj.