Thursday June 16, 2011, 06:00 AM

Thailand's Prom Meesawat insists he is back on form as he bids to end a five-year Asian Tour title drought at the Queen's Cup teeing off Thursday on the holiday isle of Samui.

The 26-year-old, a former world junior champion, has been working with a sports psychologist following a slump in his game over the last few years which saw him lose his Tour card.

"I'm very happy with my game. I'm still working with my coach and sports psychologist and the goal will be to maintain the form that I've been showing over the past few months," Prom said Wednesday, following three straight top-10s this season.

The field he is up against includes title holder Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan, Bangladeshi Siddikur, who is second on the Order of Merit, former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa of India, in-form South African Jbe Kruger, who is fourth on the rankings, and local stars Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Chinnarat Phadungsil.

Prom, nicknamed the Big Dolphin for his physique and the fact he hails from coastal Hua Hin, was tipped for greatness when he won his first Asian Tour title in Korea in 2006 but the road to glory proved to be more winding than expected.

"Previously, when I didn't play well, I started getting negative thoughts," said Prom.

"Now, I'm more relaxed. I focus hard on my routine. I've managed to cut out the bad things in my head. These are part of the things that I've learnt," said Prom, whose resurgence also saw him qualifying for the British Open next month.

Countryman Prayad, who has endured several near misses in Samui and was sixth in last year's Queen's Cup, picked Prom as the man to watch at the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club course.

"On this course, a player who is consistent can do well ... players like Prom can win. He seems to have found his game again," said the 45-year-old Prayad, a six-time champion on the Asian Tour.

But Prayad did not write off his own chances. "I've got a new driver in the bag and it's been good. I feel good for this week and I feel relaxed being here. The Queen's Cup is important for all Thai players and we want to win it to keep the trophy here," he said.

As the highest ranked player in the field for the $300,000 event, Siddikur was delighted to be back in Samui where his career kicked started with a first top-10.

"It was my turning point. Finishing top-10 gave me the experience and confidence to compete on the Asian Tour," said Siddikur, who went on to finish seventh on the Order of Merit last year after becoming the first Bangladeshi winner on the Tour.

"I like this place and I am looking forward to the week. It's not an easy golf course. I have my expectation which is to try and win the tournament and hopefully I will get that."

Hiratsuka, who has yet to miss a halfway cut in 10 starts this season, warned that he would not be relinquishing his Queen's Cup title easily.

"I'm playing pretty good but it's still not my best golf. But it's close," said the 39-year-old, the only man to win three titles on the Asian Tour last season.

© 2011 AFP/sid