CHAPCHAI ON THE RIGHT PATH AT ISKANDAR JOHOR OPEN

   The big-hitting Chapchai enters this week's US$300,000 Iskandar Johor Open as one of the favourites and knows that victory at Royal Johor Country Club will keep him firmly in contention for the prestigious Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit crown.

   Currently fourth on the rankings, the 24-year-old, who is nicknamed "King Kong" for his booming drives, stayed in a temple for three weeks during the Tour's summer break and learnt to become a monk.

    "It is our belief that a man who is over 20 should become a monk as a show of respect to our parents," said Chapchai. "The good thing that I learnt when I was a monk is meditation. I know a lot deeper now about meditation and it has helped me a lot to relax and control my emotion. I hope it will also help my golf."

    Chapchai broke through in a big way earlier this season by lifting the TCL Classic in China, becoming only the third Thai to win a co-sanctioned event. He has registered four other top-10s but as he enters the second half of the Asian Tour season, the Thai is some US$180,000 behind current leader Liang Wen-chong of China.

    "I hope to play well and shoot for many top five finishes to move up the ranking. I would like to win one or two more events if possible. This would brighten up my chances on the UBS Order of Merit," said Chapchai.

    As he laid off from golf for nearly month, Chapchai knows that he needs to get the rust out of his game quickly if he is to contend at this week's Iskandar Johor Open, which is backed by the Johor state government and Iskandar Region Development Authority.

    Liang and Australian Scott Hend, third on the ranking, are amongst the favourites this week.

    "I just started to practice recently but I have to get my game ready and be fit.  I couldn't practice during my stay in the temple. It was not polite to do so when I was a monk," said Chapchai.

    "I will also need to keep my health strong and prepare myself well for the second half of the season. There are some big events coming up later like the Barclay Singapore Open and UBS Hong Kong Open which can make things change on the UBS Order of Merit," he added.

    He predicted that this year's number one could well come from those who presently occupy the top-five of the ranking. "After our summer break, every player will be eager to play again. Let's see what happens but it will be interesting."

   But ultimately, Chapchai knows that if he can somehow claim the UBS Order of Merit crown, he will be immortalised and be ranked amongst Asia's greatest players, joining compatriot Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant to achieve the feat.