Bangkok, Thailand: Award-winning Thai Country Club will play host to this month’s Thailand Open which returns to the Asian Tour schedule following a lapse of eight years.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Scott Hend of Australia and Thai heavyweights Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat will headline the field in the US$300,000 event from May 18-21.
Among many high-profile events staged at the venue, the Thai Country Club was the scene of a runaway Tiger Woods victory in the Asian Honda Classic in 1997. It also was home to the Volvo Masters of Asia on four occasions (2005-2008) and the Thailand leg of the Johnnie Walker Super Tour in 1998.
“We are delighted to welcome back the Asian Tour and are looking forward to hosting the Thailand Open,” said John Blanch, General Manager at Thai Country Club, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation that was sculpted by Denis Griffiths and opened for play in 1996.
“Our greenkeeping staff have been working very hard to ensure our golf course will be in optimum condition for us to provide a quality test to the golfers,” he added.
Rungsrid Luxsitanonda, President of the Thailand Golf Association (TGA), said: “As custodians of the Thailand Open, we are delighted to announce our national Open will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour this month.
“With Scott Hend and our very own local heroes Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee confirmed for the tournament, their presence and participation will ensure a memorable week of golf for fans at the Thai Country Club.
“Moving forward, the TGA will strive to work closely with the Asian Tour to further grow the stature and prestige of the Thailand Open, which plays a major role in developing the game in our country.”
The Thailand Open was last held on the Asian Tour in 2009 when it was won by Indian Jyoti Randhawa.
It became part of the OneAsia Tour schedule in 2010. In 2013 and 2015, the last time the Open was played, it was co-sanctioned between OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and boasted a prize purse of US$1 million.

The Thailand Open was inaugurated in 1965 as part of the original Far East Golf Circuit. This month’s tournament will be the 46th edition.
Josh Burack, Asian Tour Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Thailand Open is one of the oldest national championships in Asia and we are excited to welcome the prestigious tournament back into our fold.
“The success achieved by Thai golfers on our Tour and around the world has been tremendous to watch.”