Open joy for Thailand's Thongchai
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee has sealed a place in next month's British Open at Royal Lytham in northwest England.
Jaidee, 42 arrived in Ireland for this week's Irish Open heading a "mini money list" that commenced at the BMW PGA Championship last month and concludes with the close of this week's Irish Open at Royal Portrush.
The top two players, otherwise not exempt on the list', qualify for golf's oldest major commencing on July 19.
Thongchai, who has contested the past three British Opens, heads the money list courtesy of his success in the recent Wales Open with South African Richard Sterne in second place 77 630 euros behind.
Sterne could go past Jaidee in finishing in the top five here but Jaidee would still qualify second, cementing a sixth British Open appearance, given four other of his nearest rivals on the 'mini money list' all missed the cut in Ireland.
"My spot in the British Open is now secure, so I am lucky that has happened and I am very pleased about that," he said.
"I have been working very hard towards that goal and winning the Wales Open was a great bonus.
"I knew I really only had to make the cut this week and it would be in the British Open, and the fact that a lot of players behind me missed the cut helped my chances.
"I have played the last three British Opens but I've never played Royal Lytham and St. Annes, so I am now looking forward to it."
Jaidee, a three time Asian Tour No 1 and twice Asian "Tour Player of the Year", ended his Irish Open third round with a three over par 74 to fall back to three under par in the rainy and difficult conditions.
"It was just very tough out there today with the back nine very tough," he said.
"It rained for most of the round and that made it difficult as everything is wet but I like the golf course and I'm been pleased to come here as it's my first visit to Northern Ireland."
Jaidee will have further links experience ahead of the British Open as he's contesting the Scottish Open at Inverness the week beforehand.
