LIFE is full of Eastern promise for Jon Cheetham who was today on his way to Thailand to prepare for the the opening event on the Asian Tour which starts at Bangkok on Thursday.

The M.E.N. Manchester Open champion won his card at the first attempt when he finished 25th in the four-round qualifier in Malaysia yesterday.

Cheetham, 36, and Zane Scotland, who turned professional a few months ago after a glittering amateur career, were the only Brits to prevail.

He said last night: "I'll be out here for six weeks before returning home but then I'll go back after the PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.

Cheetham, who decided to chance his arm in the Far East after failing to earn his European Tour card for the second year running, admitted that he did not play well in the qualifier until the last round.

"I shot two-under-par 70 which was more than enough but up to then I did not feel right, which I put down to a combination of the heat and now knowing the courses.

"After Bangkok I move to Burma then in the Philippines then see how I go on in the re-ranking. All told there's 25 fixtures but they've only released the dates to the end of May.

"The money is attractive and this week there's a prize-fund of $300,000 but I don't know what the strength of the field is."

Cheetham, who attached to Mobberley, is targeting a top 50 order of merit spot which will enable him to play in the co-sanctioned tournaments next year.

He expects to defend his M.E.N. title at Mottram Hall at the end of September and his De Vere City of Leeds Cup crown at Oulton Hall in June. Tweet