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Asian No 1 Thaworn Wiratchant will celebrate a career milestone at the US$1.8 million Volvo China Open next month where he hopes to cap a great week with a grand victory.

The Thai star will feature in his 200th Asian Tour tournament at Beijing Honghua Golf Club from April 13-16, which in the same stroke will earn him the honour of holding the most number of appearances in the region.

Thaworn, last year's Order of Merit winner and an eight-time winner, has come close to winning the Open championship of the world's most populous nation in the past. Most recently he won third place in the 2004 edition in Shanghai.

Two years later, he hopes to be two rungs better. "I will aim to play my best golf at the Volvo China Open. The main goal would be to play well for four days, and if I can achieve this, then I can think about climbing to the top of the leaderboard," said the 39-year-old Thaworn.

"I'm happy with my form right now, and I have tried very hard to stay on top of my game. Last year was a great year as I won four times, but after being a winner on so many occasions, it doesn't mean you can repeat that easily. I want to give myself a chance to win again."

Since making his debut in the region in 1995, the Thai strongman has won all across Asia. But nothing would give him greater pleasure than lifting the Volvo China Open, which is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

He is particularly thrilled that his 200th appearance would be recorded at the Volvo China Open, an event he rates highly. "Time has passed by so quickly, and I never realized how many tournaments I've played all these years," said Thaworn.

"Previously, the schedule wasn't as full as what we enjoy these days, and there are more opportunities for players to play on the Asian Tour. I'm proud to feature in so many events but what gives me greater satisfaction is when I play well in tournaments," he added.

Thaworn's staying power, which saw him play 15 consecutive weeks last season en route to his career-best year, has earned him the nickname "Iron Man". The Thai, who picked up the game when he was a ball boy at a driving range in Bangkok, has yet to replicate last season's success, but he feels his game can go into over-drive at the Volvo China Open.

"You need to be hungry in this game to ensure that you will never stop playing," said Thaworn. "If you're no longer hungry, your energy will be gone. It's a pleasure being No 1, but I have to maintain my performance."

Thaworn will spearhead the Asian Tour's charge in the Volvo China Open, won last year by English star Paul Casey. Other top Asian Tour stalwarts who are slated to compete include Mardan Mamat, Singapore's first-ever winner on the European Tour, and current UBS Order of Merit leader Andrew Buckle of Australia.

Two-time Asian No 1 Thongchai Jaidee, who will make his US Masters debut next week, will also take aim at the title as well as top Japanese duo Tadahiro Takayama, winner of the season-opening Okinawa Open last December, and Kiyoshi Miyazato.

India's Jyoti Randhawa and Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol, who finished third in the Volvo China Open last year, are also expected to challenge for honours again at the Nick Faldo-designed Honghua course.

Volvo was the first sponsor of professional golf in China, launching the Volvo China Open in 1995 with close co-operation with the China Golf Association and Richtone Worldwide.

It plays an irreplaceable role in the 21-year history of golf in China and was the first to create a 72-hole Open competition named after the nation.

(China Daily March 31, 2006)