Tiger Woods to play in Thailand
For the first time in 10 years, Tiger Woods will return to his mother’s home country of Thailand to play some golf.
Woods has confirmed that he will join the four-man field for the one-day skins event taking place 8 November at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, a Thai province located southeast
of Bangkok. There is an historical element to the event, as it is part of celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Travel shouldn’t be too much of an issue for Woods, who will fly to Thailand after he is done competing at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, set to end a day before the skins
event.
The 34-year-old Woods, born to an American father and a Thai mother, has won three times in Thailand, the most recent being the Johnnie Walker Classic in 2000. He won the same tournament
in 1998 as well as the Asian Honda Classic in 1997.
The four-man field will be rounded out by Englishman Paul Casey, Colombian Camilo Villegas, and Thailand’s top-ranked golfer Thongchai Jaidee. The four players will compete for $300,000
in total prize money.
For the first time in his pro career, Woods is winless on the season. An infidelity scandal, which began in November, has marred his image and ended his marriage.
Woods, whose father is black, is often credited with breaking through racial boundaries, becoming a dominant force in a sport traditionally reserved for whites. But few recognize his Thai
roots.
One group that does are the Thai people themselves. When Woods won the 1997 Asian Honda Classic on his way to his breakthrough win at the Masters that same year, the crowd gave him a hero’s
welcome with loud cheers and huge crowds.
"Thailand has treated us very well," Woods said after the 1997 victory. "I don’t know why but I feel like I’m home. I hope I will be back soon."
Woods, who has won 13 more majors since 1997, not only earned the admiration of Thai fans but of Thai golfers as well, such as Suntorn Jarumon.
"Americans like to say he’s American. Blacks like to say he is black. But Thais are proud of him as an Asian, and he is definitely Thai," Suntorn said after Woods won in 1997.
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