Thai Golfer's Rags To Riches Story

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Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand a rags-to-riches tale at CA Championship at Doral

By Stacy Hicklin | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

March 14, 2009

DORAL - He went from playing with a handmade wooden club held together by twine to holding the upper hand against some of the world's best golfers.

Prayad Marksaeng is just four shots back and 9 under par halfway through the CA Championship at Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

The 5-foot-4, 163-pound golfer from Thailand began the tournament with a 65 and added a 70 on Friday in a round that included six birdies and an eagle on No. 1. He did, however, make three bogeys and finished with a triple bogey on the 18th hole.

Marksaeng said he plays golf with a different attitude and motivation than the majority of players on the PGA Tour. He came from an extremely poor family and shared one bedroom with his 11 to 12 siblings.

"I played golf [in the beginning] like I was hungry because I needed to win to survive," said Marksaeng through his interpreter. "More wealthy people play for fun or trophies."

Growing up, he worked a bicycle taxi in the morning, caddied in the afternoon and finished the day helping his mom sell food at the railroad station.

Marksaeng had no money to buy golf clubs, instead making them and only using balls he could fish out of the water or spot in the rough from a tree top. He quit school after only four years to pursue his love for golf.

"It's pretty incredible he's been as successful as he has been considering his starting point," Tiger Woods said.

Sun-Sentinel.com