Jaidee eyes top 50 ranking

Indonesian OpenThongchai Jaidee is keen to make up for missing the cut last week in Malaysia and he believes the weekend's rest will benefit his bid to win the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open.

The Thai, who won in Malaysia in 2004 and 2005 and finished second last year, surprisingly failed in Kuala Lumpur after bogeys at the last two holes in his second round saw him finish on five over, three strokes above the cut mark.

That disappointing performance cost the 36-year-old a spot at the WGC World Matchplay as he dropped three spots in the official world golf ranking to 72nd but the early finish allowed him to recharge his batteries after a playing in events for five consecutive weekends.

"I was tired because of the time difference after I came back from Dubai," explained Jaidee. "I was at the Royal Trophy, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur - five weeks. So I was tired and lost my form slightly.

"But I'm back this week and I'm better now because I've adjusted back to the time difference."

Missing the cut allowed Jaidee to take his mind off golf for the weekend and unwind in the Malaysian capital before travelling down to Jakarta to play at Damai Indah Golf and Country Club.

"I left my golf bag in the hotel and went sightseeing, had dinner and shopping with my friends in Kuala Lumpur," he said. "It was a good break and then I arrived in Jakarta on Sunday night. We arrived early and I had a good practice on Monday, playing nine holes."

Despite failing to qualify for the WGC Matchplay, Jaidee remains confident of achieving his main aim for this year - to reach the top 50 and qualify automatically for the Masters in April.

"My schedule is tight and I will have to see how I perform this week but I hope to perform well and be in the top 50 because my main aim is to play in the Masters," he said.

Defending champion Simon Dyson is impressed with the Robert Trent Jones-designed layout. "The whole set-up is fantastic. I think there are some really good holes out there," said the Yorkshireman, who claimed a two-stroke victory at Emerelda Golf and Country Club last year.

"It would be a lot more interesting if it were a lot more bouncy as it's a bit like target golf at the moment because it is so soft." Venue: Damai Indah G&CC, Jakarta.

On TV: Sky Sports 2, 7.30am-10.30am.

Prize fund: $1.05m.

Length: 7,121. Par: 71.

Defending champion: Simon Dyson.

Did you know: Thaworn Wiratchant, the winner in 2005, became the first player to shoot three 63s on the way to winning a European Tour event. He recorded scores of 63 63 66 63 for an aggregate of 255 (-25), which would have been the lowest four-round total in Tour history, but for preferred lies in rounds three and four.