September 27, 2015: It will be a Sunday that will always remain fresh in the memory cells of Thongchai Jaidee. At nearly 46, the Thai star is scripting a renaissance that will be hard to forget for the golfer and his fans. Just days from becoming the first even Thai golfer to play in the Presidents Cup, he underlined his credentials to the International team with a narrow one shot victory over Graeme Storm in Bad Griesbach.
As the tournament reached its climax, Storm was enjoying the comforts of the clubhouse having signed his card for an overall total of 16-under 268. Jaidee stood at the 18th tee knowing that a par would do to earn his career’s seventh European Tour title. But after laying up just off the green with a slightly tricky lie, Jaidee had to endure a tense few minutes before he could seal victory.
After a lengthy negotiation with the rules officials, Jaidee was afforded relief, allowing for a free drop from his position off the green. The Thai golfer chipped in from there, leaving himself about six feet from the pin. He kept his calm and sank the putt to claim the title before raising both his arms in joy.
The two top men were in fact all square with six holes left to play as they set up a tense finish to this exciting tournament in Germany. They were only separated when Storm made an unfortunate bogey at the penultimate hole to shoot himself in the foot.
As in the first round, Jaidee was bogey free yet again, playing with remarkable calm even as he chased glory on Sunday. He needed just four birdies to etch his name on the trophy – two on either side of his walk around the Golf Resort Bad Griesbach.
The fuel for victory though was Jaidee’s spectacular 64 on Saturday, when he made eight birdies to put himself into the lead heading into the final round.
A tied 31st place at the Scottish Open in July was his best finish this season on the European Tour, before he surged into contention and claimed victory at Germany this week.
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