True Thailand Classic Preview

The European Tour remains in Asia this week for the inaugural True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Lowdown: The European Tour remains in Asia this week for the inaugural True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.

After last week’s Maybank Malaysian Open, a number of the European Tour stars have travelled to Thailand to contest this event. Malaysian Open winner Anirbarn Lahiri makes a start in Hua Hin, so too do veterans Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Miguel Angel Jimenez warm-up routine

Bjorn is keen to play at Black Mountain GC which has earned a great reputation amongst the Scandinavian European Tour players, many of whom have used it as a base for winter training.

“A number of European Tour players have an association with Black Mountain and the reports I have heard suggest it will be a very strong venue,” he said.

The 43-year-old Dane has won 15 times on the European Tour across the globe, but he has never claimed a title in South East Asia. He'd love to set that record straight this week.

“Winning around the world is what makes you a truly global player,” he said. “And I would love to add Thailand to the list of countries where I have won.”

Miguel Angel Jimenez won in Thailand the last time he played in the country on the European Tour – the Johnnie Walker Classic of 2004.

“I love playing in Asia,” he said. “I’m excited about visiting Hua Hin for the first time.”

The 51-year-old comes into the event on good form, having won recently on the Champions Tour.

A number of on-form European Tour players are on the start sheet this week. Alejandro Canizares of Spain will tee it up after his tied third place finish last week in Malaysia. Marc Warren is also set to play in Hua Hin. The Scot was runner-up in Qatar, tied 13th in Dubai and 9th last week.

The course at Black Mountain was opened for play in 2007 and is sure to be a spectacular venue for this inaugural championship. The weather forecast looks set fair so the players should have superb conditions.

Venue: Black Mountain GC, Hua Hin, Thailand Date: Feb 12-15 Course stats: par 72, 7,359 yards Purse: €1,750,000 Winner: €289,862 Defending Champion: Inaugural competition

TV Coverage: Thursday 12 – Sky Sports 4 from 8am Friday 13 – Sky Sports 4 from 8am Saturday 14 – Sky Sports 4 from 4am Sunday 15 – Sky Sports 4 from 5.30am

Player Watch:

Alex Noren – The Swede seems to be back to something like his best after being plagued by injury through 2014. He was ninth in Qatar and then runner-up in Dubai. He could go one better this week.

Putting tips from Alex Noren

Marc Warren – He’s on great form right now, with two top-10s (including a second place) in his last three starts. When he’s on his game he’s a match for anybody.

Wade Ormsby – The Australian is bubbling under the surface coming into this event. We know he can play – a tie for fourth in last year’s Turkish Airlines Open proves that. He’s started 2015 slowly, but a tie for 11th last week in Malaysia where he finished with a 67, hints that Ormsby might just be coming onto a game.

Key hole: 14th. A par-3 of 192 yards, there’s an amazing prize up for grabs on this short hole. There’s a 12-million Thai baht (£250,000)town house for anyone who can score a hole-in-one!