Thai professional golfer, Prom Meesawat, is nicknamed the ‘Big Dolphin’ due to his burly physique but also because he comes from Hua Hin. Prom almost triumphed in this latest golf Asian Tour Event with a final round of 65 and a score of 16 under par but succumbed in a sudden death play-off to Chinese Star Liang Wen-chong in the 2013 Resort World Manila Masters in the Philippines.
Prom grew up idolising Boonchu Runagkit and fellow Hua Hin resident Prayad Marksaeng and won numerous junior tournaments, including the Thailand Amateur Open Championship in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The son of Suthep, the first Thai to win the Thailand Open, Prom won his first title in the 2006 SK Telecom Open in South Korea. Hampered by injury in 2009 and 2010, he bounced back in 2011.
“When I was very young, I saw a lot of Thai golfers like Prayad (Marksaeng), my dad and Boonchu. They were always playing in tournaments on my home course. Every day before I went to school I would watch them tee up and I thought to myself that one day I want to play professional golf like these guys,” said Prom.
Prom also finished second in August’s 2013 Singha Hua Hin Open. He is known for his accurate tee-to-green golf game but what makes him stand out is his calm demeanour in the heat of battle.
The 27-year-old said his ability to stay cool is due to praying and meditation. A follower of Buddhism, Prom says that regular visits to the temple and prayers have often helped him to achieve success.
“Every day when I have time in the morning, I will go to the temple and pray. I also pray every night before I sleep,” said Prom.
The next Asian Tour Event in Thailand will be held on Dec 12-15; the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amarta Springs Country Club in Chonburi Province.
