Asian Tour players ready to test their games against top players

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Thongchai Jaidee finished T5 at Accenture Match Play, and T19 at the Memorial this year.

KUALA LUMPUR -- Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee believes the inaugural CIMB Asia Pacific Classic will be a good stepping stone for Asian stars to broaden their horizons.

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The decorated 40-year-old, holder of an unprecedented three Order of Merit titles, headlines a strong Asian Tour lineup that includes countrymen Thaworn Wiratchant, Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Kiradech Aphibarnrat competing in the $6 million event that begins Thursday at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.

While Jaidee has enjoyed success abroad, he knows there is room for improvement -- especially when Asian Tour regulars compete against the likes of multiple major champions like Ernie Els and Retief Goosen of South Africa. In addition, eight players in the field have won 10 times on the PGA TOUR this year, including two-time champs Els and Bill Haas.

"It is very important to have big events in Asia," Jaidee said. "... This is a good learning curve for me because we get to observe and learn from the PGA TOUR players on their preparation and their game."

This season, Jaidee enjoyed a strong start to the year, tying for seventh and ninth, respectively, at the Malaysian Open and Ballantine's Championship. He also reached the quarterfinals of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship where he lost to the eventual winner Ian Poulter.

Jaidee's game hit a quiet patch but after notching a top-10 in Europe two weeks ago, the former paratrooper feels he is close to his best form.

"I'm back to Asia and I prefer the weather here because it feels like home," Jaidee said. "I have played in Malaysia on many occasions and I'm feeling excited. There are only 40 players this week without any cut and that makes it easier for a player to come out and win it."

Jaidee is also a fan of the par-71 Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course, which was built on a former tin mine. "The course set up is fantastic," he said. "It is in great shape. This is probably the fastest greens I have played on in Malaysia."

Another top contender is Korea's Noh Seung-yul, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader. The talented 19-year-old returns to Malaysia with positive vibes after winning the Malaysian Open in March and finishing second at the recent Iskandar Johor Open.

"You can see the trend right? The competition is stiffer than the previous two events. If I finish third, I'll be quite happy," Noh said.

Junhasavasdikul, who broke through with his maiden Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters earlier this month, also relishes the opportunity to compete against the more established players for the $1 million first prize.

"This is a big week for me to gain more experience," the 26-year-old said. "There are a lot of big names like Ernie, Retief Goosen, Robert Allenby and many others. These guys are my role models and I look up to them.

"I'm trying not to think about the prize money. I have yet to see how the big boys do it but hopefully I can catch up with them."

Like many,Junhasavasdikul has found the Mines Resort course challenging with greens running 11 or 12 on the Stimpmeter.

"The course is pretty tough," he said. "t is nothing like what I have played on before and the greens are running really fast. Honestly, I did not expect that in Malaysia. ... The course is kind of narrow and it will be a challenge."