True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

GOLF in Thaliand is rather different. The weather tends to be very hot, the humidity is sapping.  You can stand in an air-conditioned building and be bone dry, but then the door opens and within seconds you are drenched in sweat. And then there is the rain - when it rains in Thailand, it really rains.

That is why the winner of the Thailand Classic (or the True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain to give it is full name) is likely to be won by somebody from that part of the world - or an Asian specialist.

Don't be surprised to see a Thai player coming out on top. There would be no more popular winner than Thongchai Jaidee, the winner of six European Tour events, and a player who seems to be gettting better with age. Jaidee is a superstar in his homeland and would send Thailand into raptures if he wins.

But he will face a formidable challenge from Thaworn Wiratchant, who has a record 18 Asian Tour titles to his name, Prayad Marksaeng and roly-poly Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who veers between the brilliant and just plain awful.

The event is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Asian Tour and offers some of the best Asian golfers the opportunity of changing their lives for ever by securing a two-year exemption on the European Tour.

Anirban Lahiri won in Malaysia last week, securing himself that vital two-year exemption, and he is not the only Indian who heads to Thaliand with a genuine chance to win. Keep an eye, too, on SSP Chawrasia,  who finished 10th in Kuala Lumpur despite opening with a 76.

And perhaps fate will step in and give a helping hand to  Rikard Karlberg, who has enjoyed success at the Black Mountain Golf Club in the past. He also has an extra incentive for doing well, as he gets married next week.
“The wedding (to Pernilla) is the week after the tournament and I feel very lucky with what has been going on in my life. It feels amazing how everything has worked out with my new house, the wedding and the tournament. Also, I’ll have lot of friends coming over and watching me play.

"It’s really easy to try too hard when you have friends and family watching you but the key is to simply enjoy the game and not get too bothered even if you have hit some bad shots. I want to win at least three tournaments this year and getting a win at Black Mountain would be simply fantastic!”

True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain Betting Tips 

We think this tournament is too difficult to call, so we are going to give you three each-way bets.

Thongchai Jaidee 12/1 Thailand's best player, and a man who thrives on pressure and would love to give the home fans what they want more than anything else

Alex Noren 11/1 Back from injury, the Swede has got to be worth £10 of anybody's money

Miguel Angel Jimenez 18/1 A previous winner in this part of the world

True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain Fantasy picks

Thongchai Jaidee  12/1 Will be swept along on a tide on patriotic emotion

SSP Chawrasia 66/1 On fire last week after getting the gremlins out of his system in the opening round. Not afraid to win

Anirban Lahiri 12/1 Played brilliantly over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur. If the win didn't take too much out of him, he could easily figure again

Alex Noren 11/1 One of the best players in Europe on his day

Miguel Angel Jimenez  18/1 Loves this part of the world

Marc Warren 12/1  The Scot has at last found a consistency that has been missing from his game

Kiradech Aphibarnrat 14/1 Followed a shocking opening round of 80 in Malaysia with a 69 to prove he is in decent form

Rikard Karlberg 33/1 It may be written in the stars that Karlberg, who gets married next week, will do well

Simon Dyson 30/1 A specialist in this part of the world - the conditions bring out the best in him, and he is overdue a big week

Thomas Bjorn 18/1 It's time for the Dane to get his season properly under way