Thai star Chapchai Nirat will rely on meditation to help him take a big career leap when the 2010 Asian Tour season gets underway in two weeks time.

Already established as one of the region's top stars following three career victories, Chapchai has every intention of improving his victory haul and challenge regularly at events across the region after an inconsistent second half of the 2009 season.

Last year, he finished eighth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, highlighted by his world scoring record when he shot a stunning 32-under-par 256 at the SAIL Open in India. It was the lowest 72-hole score amongst the major international Tours.

While his golfing abilities have been for all to see since he burst onto the scene in 2005, Chapchai is fully aware that staying on the road to success requires a strong frame of mind in a game which often tests a golfer to its limit.

"Meditation helps me to keep my focus and that helps in my overall game. I'll do my best this season to climb higher (on the Order of Merit) than in 2009," said Chapchai.

In 2007, Chapchai spent two weeks in a monastery in Bangkok and learnt to become a monk which is a Thai custom. That was the same season which saw him post two victories and end the year in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Nicknamed 'King Kong' by his peers for his long-driving abilities, Chapchai still remembers vividly his record run in India and he harbors hopes of breaking his mark in the near future.

"That victory is unforgettable and I'm confident that one day I will break that record again," said the 26-year-old Chapchai.

He has no doubt become one of the most prolific Thai players to grace the Asian Tour after making his debut in 2005. Chapchai first jumped into the spotlight by grabbing the first round lead at the Singapore Open before settling for tied 11^th place and went on to finish second in the following week's Taiwan Open.

He continued his impressive run in 2006 where he claimed five top-10s before making his breakthrough in the following year with wins in China and Vietnam.

Despite his immense talent, Chapchai believes there is still room for improvement. "Hardwork always pays off so I need to put in more practice. Practice is an important aspect in my routine as it helps identify my weak points.

"Golf is a constant learning experience and every tournament you play in gives you a new experience to take back and I believe that I will gradually improve as I play in more tournaments," said Chapchai.

ABOUT CHAPCHAI

Country            :           Thailand

Residence         :           Pitsanulok, Bangkok

Date of Birth     :           June 5, 1983

Family              :           Married (Wife: Pelinda 2009)

Turned Pro       :           1998               

 ASIAN TOUR VICTORIES: (3) 2007 TCL Classic, 2007 Hana Bank Vietnam Masters, 2009 SAIL Open, India.

PRO WIN: (1) 2004 Genting Masters, Malaysia.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Chapchai produced a stunning record-breaking third career victory at the SAIL Open in India in 2009, setting new scoring records for 36, 54 and 72 holes. His winning total of 32-under-par 256, which saw him triumph by 11 shots, was a new world record as it was the lowest amongst the six major Tours in the world. He posted three other top-10s in 2009, including a second place finish at the Iskandar Johor Open to end the year in eighth place on the Order of Merit. In 2008 he registered two top-10 finishes at the Pine Valley Beijing Open and Bangkok Airways Open. In 2007, Chapchai broke through in a very big way with a wire-to-wire maiden success at the co-sanctioned TCL Classic in China and followed that up with a second victory in the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters later in the season. His China win, which saw him shoot an opening 11-under-par 61, made him the third Thai player to win a co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event. The big-hitting Chapchai registered seven other top-10s and challenged Liang Wen-chong of China for the Order of Merit title before settling for second place. Earned bragging rights as the Birdie King after winning the stat category with a haul of 306 birds. In 2006, Chapchai put together five top-10s and showed his growing maturity by contending in the Singapore Masters before settling for fifth place, a position he also enjoyed at the SK Telecom Open in Korea. He enjoyed a sensational rookie season in 2005 where he burst onto the scene at the Singapore Open, grabbing a share of the first round lead before settling for tied 11th place. At the following week's Taiwan Open, Chapchai challenged compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant for the title and eventually finished second.

PERSONAL: Chapchai turned professional at a tender age of 15, playing on the mini circuits across the region. Said he turned professional early on to try and make a living for himself. His father Chucheep was also a top golfer, playing for the Thai national team. Chapchai was introduced to the game by his father when he was four and says the best advice from his father was to be fearless. He also learned to become a monk in 2007 when he spent two weeks in the monastery and says the meditation has helped him to relax and stay focussed on the golf course.