SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

April 19, 2026

Thongchai Jaidee

Press Conference

The Concession Golf Club

THE MODERATOR: We're joined now by Thongchai Jaidee at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship. How do you feel about your week out here this week?

THONGCHAI JAIDEE: I played great this week, but you know, (indiscernible). I hit iron not very good. Except today I hit perfect today, but you know, this major, you know, I enjoy to be here and also playing the golf course.

I know the golf course is green. It's tough. If you miss the wrong side, you go anywhere, you know, but keep the ball in play, the more important thing here I think.

I prefer my performance okay. During the week, you know, you have to be some good day, some we have bad day. You know, this golf course is amazing, yeah. Good condition, and it's very challenge, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Thammanoon has been doing great this week, and I know he's a friend, he's close to you. What do you have to say about him?

THONGCHAI JAIDEE: I think Thammanoon is the best, another best player. He's very good short game. He the king for short game. I mean, the Thai Spinner belong to him originally, but you know, he really good short game and putting very well.

You know, he spent a lot of time for golf tournaments. He been playing on Japan Senior Tour. I played on Asian Tour, a couple of European Tour. He get more experience.

I'm really proud to be here with him this week. I know he play very well, you know, and especially yesterday. Then, you know, he really good, very good.

He another good player from Thailand. Anything, he can do it. The key for him I think he's very good mental, and also he has the best putting.

Q. He's kind of off to a bad start today, but what would it mean to Thailand if he were to win this tournament?

THONGCHAI JAIDEE: Very, very proud. Happy if he win the tournament out here. This is a major. Everyone dream to be win at a major. Myself, I give myself to be try all the time, but I know major is very hard.

If Thammanoon won, it would be nice for us. I'm going to be waiting for him, and hopefully he doing well. I'm very cheer up after see what happen about doing on 18. I think if he win another, you know, I mean, very big proud, yeah.

Q. What do you know about Thammanoon's origins? We were talking with him yesterday. Six brothers who grew up poor by a golf course. Can you tell us a little bit about him?

THONGCHAI JAIDEE: Thammanoon live next to the golf course. I mean, a Navy golf course in Sattahip. He play close to north of Bangkok, about two and a half hours. He a big family. Whole family play golf.

I know his brother. His older brother is very good. He grew up living close to the golf course. He practice a lot short game and putting. Both of them, I know his family love golf a lot. You know, he grew up with the golf course, close to the golf course. That's why he grew up by, you know.

He very good. He win so many tournaments. That's mainly he win in Thailand, Japan Tour as well almost every week. He win major in Japan Tour, Japan Senior Tour, also.

That's why, you know, I'm really proud I think very proud to be here with him. Then I missed Prayad Marksaeng, another good player. Unfortunately, he not here this week. I hope that he commit at the U.S. Open.

Q. Are you planning on sticking around at all today just to see how he does, or are you leaving soon?

THONGCHAI JAIDEE: Yeah, I'll play good today. I hit a long green. I missed couple of putts to make birdie. I shoot 3-under today. Pretty good round for me. Very low round for me this week.

Q. I was asking, would you stick around to watch him to see --

THONGCHAI JAIDEE: After? I pack my stuff and then let's see how much time. If I have time, I can walk with him. If not, I'm going to check in my flight tonight to fly over to Atlanta. That's why I'll be cheering him up in the locker room at the moment, yes.