Former paratrooper Thongchai backs Asian high-flyers

By Patrick Johnston

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - Asia's wait for a first major winner is almost over, according to Thailand's highest-ranked player.

"I expect an Asian player to win a major very soon," Thongchai Jaidee told Reuters on Wednesday ahead of the 138th British Open.

"Maybe a Korean or a Japanese, they are very strong," he added after finishing a practice round on a sun-soaked Ailsa Course.

Asia has been yearning for a major champion and came closest at the 1971 British Open when Taiwan's Lu Liang-huan was runner-up to American Lee Trevino at Royal Birkdale.

Thongchai, 39, one of 12 Asian players in the field this week, secured his fourth European Tour title with a playoff victory at the Ballantine's Championship in April.

The first aim of the world number 55, 12 times a winner on the Asian Tour, is to play all four rounds this week to satisfy his supporters back home.

"The majors are very important," said Thongchai. "If I play well I can go back home and have a good reception but I need to make sure I make the cut, that is very important."

FORMER PARATROOPER