Andrew Dodt is eagerly looking forward to defending his True Thailand
Classic presented by Chang title next week at a venue where he feels right at
home.

The 30-year-old claimed his second Asian Tour title at the award-winning
Black Mountain Golf Club in the coastal town of Hua Hin some 12 months ago
after holding off home hero Thongchai Jaidee and fellow Aussie Scott Hend
following a memorable final day duel.

Dodt’s triumph at the True Thailand Classic, jointly sanctioned by the
Asian Tour and European Tour, proved to be an emotional one as he had struggled
to maintain his form after claiming a maiden title in India in 2010.

"It feels like it was almost yesterday when I won there. To have the
opportunity to defend, I’m very much looking forward to it. I’ve only defended
twice before and hopefully I’m better for the run with a bit more experience
now," said Dodt.

After opening with a 71 last year, he returned successive 67s to win the
True Thailand Classic by one shot. The victory also helped him finish a career
high third on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

"I love the golf course. I seem to play well whenever I’m at Black
Mountain. I’ve had one win, one top-10 and one top-15, so I like playing there
and I would love to play well there again," said the Queenslander.

"It’s pretty much Australian like as a golf course. The weather and the
greens are pretty much the same as a Queensland golf course where I grew up, so
for me it just feels like home.

"I was three or four behind the lead at the start of the final round
last year and I turned in two or three under. But the last nine holes, I was
really solid. I only found out that I was leading with two holes to play. Hendy
and Thongchai were there about for most of the day but I just felt very calm,
hit it well and managed to come out on top," added Dodt.

As he also regained his playing rights in Europe, Dodt is keen to
establish himself abroad but realises that staying patient is a virtue that he
needs to observe.

"You set high standards and when you don’t achieve them, you kind of
feel let down. It hasn’t gone as well as I would have liked after winning in
Thailand," added Dodt.

"But it’s a tough game … I’ll just keep chipping away and try to keep
getting better. You want to play well all the time but you can’t always do
that," he said.

The True Thailand Classic will offer US$1.75 million in prize fund. It
will take place from March 10 to 13, 2016.