Thai star Prayad Marksaeng was over the moon yesterday after receiving confirmation that he has earned a coveted place in the US Masters.
The Asian Tour standout moved up to 47th place on the world rankings following a heroic final round performance at the inaugural Black Mountain Masters on Sunday, where he shot a 64 to finish tied second.
“After I withdrew with injury at last year’s Masters, I always wanted to play my way back into the tournament,” he said. “There were people who looked down on me after my withdrawal and said I would never be invited back. So I wanted to prove very badly that I could qualify on my own merit.”
He plans to head to Augusta on Thursday for the April 9 to April 12 tournament and is fired up to put up a better showing in his second appearance.
“I feel I can play the golf course. I still remember every detail of the course from last year’s experience and I hope to play well in the Masters.” he said. “I’m looking forward to going there again as it is a great tournament.”
Prayad will join Asian Tour members Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan in the elite Masters field. Singh and Lin, ranked first and second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last season, earned their places by finishing inside the world’s top 50 at the end of last year.
South Korea’s Yang Yong-eun and K.J. Choi, both graduates of the Asian Tour, will also play.
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