Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat will be the only Thais at this month’s British Open after the field was announced on Wednesday.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat
The third major of the year will be held at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake from Jul 17-20.
Thongchai, 44, earned an Open berth thanks to his ninth place in the Race to Dubai at the end of last year.
It will be his eighth, and sixth in a row, appearance at the oldest golf championship. A tie for 19th in 2009 was his best result.
World No.39 Thongchai has never played at Royal Liverpool.
Kiradech made his Open debut last year after winning a qualifying tournament at Amata Spring in Chon Buri.
This year, he received a ticket to the Open as winner of the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit.
The 24-year-old said that he should have a better result this year after missing the cut last year.
"It will be different this year because I will not be nervous,’’ said Kiradech who missed the cut by seven shots last year.
He said he was better prepared this year and he now knows how to play at a links course.
He has also got advice from Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant who played at Royal Liverpool at the 2006 Open where he was tied for 31st.
"I am ready for the task,’’ Kiradech said.
Meanwhile, a truncated honeymoon is the price Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Anirban Lahiri will have to pay to make his second appearance at the Open.
The Indian world No.81 was honeymooning in Madagascar when he learnt about being among the 10 golfers who secured their place for Royal Liverpool as the highest ranked non-exempt players.
“I am two days into my 10-day honeymoon. In the middle of a tropical rainforest in Madagascar and trying to get back to India now ASAP [as soon as possible],” the 28-year-old told the Asian Tour website.
“Total chaos. Will have to make it up to the wife big time. Super excited,” said Lahiri, a four-time winner in Asia.
“Just trying to figure out my movements so that I can get ready for The Open.”
Lahiri leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit after winning the Indonesian Masters and recording four other top-10 finishes. Bangkok Post/reuters