'Old man' wants to be a role model at Thailand Golf Championship
Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit hopes to continue surprising even himself when he competes against the young guns at the star-studded Thailand Golf Championship from tomorrow.
The 56-year-old battle-hardened Boonchu picked up his third top-10 of the year at last week's King's Cup to move up to 54th place on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, giving him every chance of becoming the oldest player to earn full exempt status in 2013.
But with a stellar field gathered for the US$1-million Asian Tour showpiece and a challenging Amata Spring Country Club which Boonchu lamented was "too long for an old man", he expects a big test.
Defending champion Lee Westwood of England, reigning Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson of the United States, current Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, American John Daly, former British Open champion Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, Simon Dyson of England, Japan's Ryo Ishikawa and Belgian Ryder Cup star Nicholas Colsaerts, are among the top names at the tournament.
Boonchu, known locally as the Godfather, said: "I will try to perform well and earn my full exempt status [by finishing in the top-60 of the Merit list] and show the young Thais that if uncle Boonchu can do it, the young boys should also be able to do it."
Following a professional career spanning more than 25 years, the five-time Asian Tour winner now takes a relaxed approach to tournaments. He says maintaining a healthy diet and a stretching routine help keep him on top of his game.
"I keep fit and I make sure I eat good food. I do a lot of stretching to make sure I'm loose, but my knees are not too strong now."
"I don't do too much physical work because of that, but it's more about keeping the muscles loose. I don't hit too many balls at the range, maybe 200 to 300. There is no more pressure on me. Every week that I go into a tournament, I am just out to enjoy the golf and take whatever comes my way. I'm very relaxed and I never force myself to play good. Always good to meet old friends," he smiled.
The Thailand Golf Championship is the penultimate event of the season, so the fight for a top-60 place in the rankings will intensify.
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Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/05/boonchu-all-set-to-blaze-another-trail/
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