BANGKOK, 15 Dec, 2015 (HK Golfer News Wire) – The 40-year-old’s win at the Amata Spring Country Club also sealed for Donaldson a spot at The 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon in July as the Thailand Golf Championship is part of The Open Qualifying Series.
“It has been an awesome week,” said Donaldson, who moved up into 43rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.
“The field was very strong and to beat these guys is great. This is certainly one of my best victories. It’s a bonus to secure a spot for The Open next year.
“I had about seven to eight years in my career where I improved on my world ranking every year and with the peak being my best season in 2014. It’s difficult to keep improving. It just gets better. You’re certainly off to a different run when you win. I want to come back here again next year to defend.”
England’s Lee Westwood is another player heading for The Open after finishing joint-second with unheralded Frenchman Clement Sordet.
“It’s great to be have made it into The Open,” said the 42-year-old Westwood, whose performance in Thailand saw him rise to 50th in the world ranking. “I’ve played every one since 1995 so it’s great to keep that run going. It’s been 21 years now and I’ve not missed one, so I’m happy.
“I’ve played Troon quite a few times, finished fourth one year [2004] so that was pretty good. I like the golf course. It’s a traditional links course-straight out straight back and everything you want from a links course.”
Teenage Thai sensation Phachara Khongwatmai took the fourth spot up for grabs at The Open – which will come not long after the rising star celebrated his 17 birthday.
“I am overwhelmed with happiness that I can be able to be included in The Open next year,” was how the 16-year-old took the news.
The fifth edition of the US$1 million Thailand Golf Championship featured a stellar field of the top players from around the world, including world number four Bubba Watson – who gave fans a moment to cherish with his first hole-in-one in competitive play during Sunday’s final round – along with world number 11 Sergio Garcia and two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer.
There was talk from the internationals all week about how strong the game had become in Thailand and across Asia, and Donaldson for one left joining in that chorus of approval.
“There are a lot of good Thai players around like Thongchai [Jaidee] and Kiradech [Aphibarnrat]. I haven’t played with Phachara Khongwatmai but he played with Darren Clarke this week – and he was impressed,” said Donaldson.
“He’s a really good talent. I remember I was still a seven-handicap when I was 16. He looks like one for the future. There are a lot of strong Thai players around. The golf scene in Thailand is definitely growing from strength to strength.”
