Fit-Again Thongchai ready for title defence

Thongchai Jaidee

Thongchai Jaidee says he is “90 per cent” recovered from his recent elbow injury and is ready to defend his title at this week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

The injury - diagnosed as a muscle strain - forced him to withdraw during the second round of the Masters two weeks ago and he subsequently received treatment from a specialist attached to the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.

It healed sufficiently for him to finish joint eighth in last week's China Open and he heads into the €2.2 million Ballantine's Championship believing he is fully on the mend.

"The doctor gave me a cortisone injection and told me that with four days' rest I could play in the next tournament," revealed Thongchai. "He was a very good doctor and gave me a good chance to play last week.

"If I hadn't got better, I would have cancelled last week and gone home. But I got to Shanghai and decided I could play and had a top 10 finish, so this week I hope it's better again. It's about 90 per cent right now. I practised nine holes yesterday and hit the ball very well."

The Thai ace is eagerly looking forward to the Ballantine's Championship at Pinx Golf Club on the picturesque island of Jeju, scene of his victory 12 months ago.

"The course is in great condition, it's a good layout and very challenging," he said. "We have a lot of strong players here this week, guys like Ernie Els, Anthony Kim and YE Yang and all the big names.

"It's looking like a very good tournament. I have good memories of last year and I feel very comfortable playing here, so I hope to do well again this year."

Thongchai battled through freakishly cold and windy conditions at Pinx last year for the biggest win of his career.

He forced a playoff against Spain's Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and local hero Kang Sung Hoon, then sank a six-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to claim his fourth European Tour title.