Former paratrooper Jaidee holds nerve in tense battle

THONGCHAI JAIDEE may have no problem jumping out of aeroplanes and waving around machine guns but he admitted to never having felt as nervous as he did in the closing stages of his historic victory at the Carlsberg Malaysian Open yesterday.

But the 34-year-old, who was a paratrooper in the Royal Thai Army before turning professional, showed the kind of mental strength required in a soldier to become the first Thai golfer to win a tournament on the European Tour.

After two bogeys on his outward nine, Jaidee retained his composure and responded with a stunning run for home, sinking four birdies and a spectacular hole-in-one to charge onto 14 under par.