Thai star Jazz Janewattananond has fulfilled a life-long ambition with his maiden appearance in this week’s Masters Tournament.
The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion is looking forward to taking on the fabled fairways of Augusta National Golf Club when he tees off in the first round later today, noting that he had set that goal as far back as early 2019.
“After winning the SMBC Singapore Open in 2019, I set my goal of getting into the world top-50 knowing that will get me into The Masters,” said the 24-year-old.
“I had it [the Masters] in my mind in 2019, it was a big bonus waiting for me at the end of my run.”
Jazz dominated the Asian Tour last year, winning four times and will be hoping to sprinkle more of his stardust at Augusta National in the 84th staging of the Masters. He will also be aiming for a performance that rivals his debut in last year’s PGA Championship, where he finished in a tie for 14th. He was joint second after three rounds behind runaway leader and eventual champion Brooks Koepka.
“Playing against the bigger guys helps elevate yourself to being a better player,” noted the Thai, who also won the Kolon Korea Open, BNI Indonesian Masters, and Thailand Masters in 2019 to match compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant’s Asian Tour record of four wins in a single season.
Jazz has been paired with Americans Brandt Snedeker and Charles Howell III for the first 36 holes and will tee off in the opening round at 7.11am (8.11pm Malaysian time ).
South African Justin Harding, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, is also competing. He made an outstanding first Masters appearance last year, ending in a tie for 12th place to secure his spot in this year’s event.
The Masters Tournament is usually held in April but has been delayed to November because of the coronavirus pandemic. The reduced field of 93 players will start off the first and 10th tees on Thursday and Friday to ensure everyone can complete their rounds before darkness. The cut has been changed as well, with only the lowest 50 players and ties playing the final two rounds. Previously, anyone within 10 shots of the lead also made the cut.
Story by Asian Tour
