Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee is happy to be back in Germany as he prepares to launch the defence of his Porsche European Open title at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach.
The 46 year old finished one shot clear of Englishman Graeme Storm to clinch the title last year and Jaidee has set his sights on winning again this time around.
But Jaidee, who is chasing his second victory of the season after claiming his eighth European Tour title at the 100th Open de France in the summer, knows the course will play differently this week due to the torrential rain which saw the practice round and Pro-Am called off.
He said: “It’s nice to be back here again. I love to be here, this is one of my favourite tournaments. Obviously I won last year, I remember it well.
“This year, the golf course is so wet. There’s going to be no-one on the course until the first day and I think it will be completely different - it is playing longer.
“I think it’s very difficult to predict who is going to win any golf tournament. Everybody is here to win the tournament but for me, the target is to win the tournament. I like the golf course firstly, and secondly you have to have a good game plan.
“I know it will be different and you have to play longer this year. It will be about who can drive it long, but it depends on the set-up of the golf course and I think they will move some tees up for sure, to give every player a chance.
“I think I can play every course. It’s the same challenge for everyone, as long as the course is set up fair. I play the Majors and the courses are very long, but I think it will be a good challenge for everyone here this week.”
I love to be here, this is one of my favourite tournaments - Thongchai Jaidee
Jaidee will get his opening round under way at 0810 on Thursday alongside three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
Germany has been a happy hunting ground for Harrington in the past and the 45 year old is hoping to add the Porsche European Open to the two other titles he has won on German soil.
He said: "I've played well in Germany over the years. I've won the old TPC here, I've won the Linde German Masters, I came close in the BMW and I came close in the old German Open.
"It would be nice to try and add the Porsche European Open.
"It's a big title on the Tour - it's a quality event. When you look around, everything about it, the facilities are good, everything is top class. So it is a big event to go out there and win.
"Porsche have done a very good job with the sponsorship here. It's right at the top of the scale of events to play.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there.”
