Thai stalwart Thongchai Jaidee will be hoping that his fondness for the Maybank Malaysian Open will carry him to a record-tying third victory in five years this week.
 
The two-time Asian Tour number one arrived in Malaysia short of tournament play or practice as he has been hit by illness and a back injury over the past three weeks. Thongchai was only cleared to compete in the US$2 million showpiece at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club by doctors on Monday.
 
Headlining the event alongside Thongchai include reigning Asian Tour number one Liang Wen-chong, fellow Thais Chapchai Nirat and Prayad Marksaeng while other top names are the in-form Mark Brown of New Zealand, Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke and David Howell, former US Open champion Michael Campbell and England’s Nick Dougherty.
 
Thongchai, winner of the Malaysian Open in 2004 and 2005 and runner-up in 2006, has been in hospital twice in recent weeks but was determined to tee up at the Maybank Malaysian Open.    
 
“I had a viral attack at the Indian Masters and spent four days in the hospital and then I had back problems last week and was admitted to the hospital again. I could not hit the golf ball at all and had to take it easy.
 
“My condition is now 60 per cent now but it’s getting better. I don’t know how fast my recovery rate is but I feel much better than the past two days,” said Thongchai, who arrived on Tuesday night.
 
Prior to his setbacks, the former Thai paratrooper was enjoying a good run of form where he made the cut in his opening three events in the Middle East. However, a viral attack floored him in the Asian Tour’s season-opening event in India and he has since missed the next three tournaments.
 
Then came the back spasm which required pain killers at the hospital last weekend.
 
“It was probably from the gym but my sleeping position also contributed to the back pain. I sleep on the floor now. I tried to sleep on the bed but I hurt my back so it’s better if I sleep on the floor. Four days ago, I couldn’t turn or sit down, now it’s much better. As I said, I’m 60 percent now. I’m sure I will be 100 percent in two days’ time,” said Thongchai.
 
In between his ailments, Thongchai received an honorary doctorate in golf management from Ramkhamhaeng University in a ceremony presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn last month. The honour was given to him for his contribution and success in golf and his work in helping golf development in the country where the Thai star has a golf academy in Lopburi.
 
The in-form Brown, an Asian Tour regular, will be hoping to emulate what Tiger Woods has achieved this season by winning his third straight tournament at the Maybank Malaysian Open.
 
Back-to-back wins at the SAIL Open and Johnnie Walker Classic in India has rocketed Brown into 64th place on the world ranking after starting the season in 258th position. With an exemption in one hand for the WGC-CA Championship in the United States in two weeks time, Brown is within striking reach of breaking into the world’s top-50 which comes with a spot in the year’s first Major, the US Masters.
 
“It’s amazing. To talk about Augusta at the start of the year is crazy stuff. It hasn’t crossed my mind at all and I haven’t thought of that at all. I will try and concentrate for this week and hope to go to Doral (CA Championship) and play well.
 
“I have a long way to go with my game. As a golfer, you are not completely satisfied with how you are playing. As great as the two week were, it’s down to the grind again this week. I’m old news now,” said Brown, the current leader of the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
 
Having spent the past two months polishing his game, Kiwi star Campbell hopes to bounce back to the winner’s circle and break the slow spell that has plagued his form.
 
“I feel I have plenty of gas left in the tank. I miss the winning feeling. I have worked very hard with a fitness trainer in Sydney for the last couple of months and worked hard on my game so I am looking forward to getting started and hopefully this week will be a good platform for a good 2008 season,” said Campbell.
 
He tipped his cap to Brown’s recent feats. “He has always been a great little player. I have known Brownie for a long time since he was 16 or 17 years old and he has always been a great player. I wasn’t surprised at all when he won two tournaments back-to-back.
 
“He stole my thunder a little which is great and that is part of the game,” said Campbell.
 
Englishman Dougherty, who enjoyed a solid campaign in Europe with one win and seven top-10 finishes last year, will be hoping to battle the odds when he faces the Asian giants this week.
 
“The Asian players adapt better to these conditions better than the Europeans. And the big factor this week is the heat. But when the gun goes off to start the tournament, it is all part of it. I enjoy it and it feels more like an athletic sport,” said Dougherty, whose first European Tour victory was at the Singapore Masters in 2005.
 
Danny Chia, Airil Rizman and Iain Steel, all Asian Tour regulars, will lead the local charge in the Maybank Malaysian Open which has yet to herald a local winner.