THONGCHAI Jaidee may have no problem jumping out of aeroplanes but he admitted to never having felt as nervous as he did in the closing stages of his historic victory at the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.
But the 34-year-old, who was a paratrooper in the Royal Thai Army before turning professional, showed the kind of mental strength required in a soldier to become the first Thai golfer to win a tournament on the European Tour.
After two bogeys on his outward nine, Jaidee retained his composure and responded with a stunning run for home, sinking four birdies and a spectacular hole-in-one to charge on to 14 under par.
Australian Brad Kennedy was his nearest challenger but, requiring a birdie on the last to force a play-off, he three putted for bogey and Jaidee clinched the title by two shots.
"I've dreamed for so long to win on the European Tour," said Jaidee, who is now fourth on the European Order of Merit and top of the Asian Tour money list. "I had a good feeling when I came here as I won the Myanmar Open last week.
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