PGA Championship: His name is Atiwit Janewattananond, but you can call him Jazz, and he’s playing in the tournament
His father loves jazz music, thus the nickname. He is at 2-under 138 through two rounds of the PGA and is enjoying New York and the crowds.
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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Atiwit Janewattananond is a 23-year-old rookie on the European PGA Tour who lives in Thailand, but people call him Jazz.
“My father loved jazz music,” he explained Friday after firing a 2-under-par 68 in the second round of his first PGA Championship. “Apparently, that didn’t come through me. But, yeah, I like all kinds of music. Maybe the name helps.”
Janewattananond, who stands at 138 after two rounds at Bethpage Black, arrived in New York last Friday and went out with a friend to discover the city.
“He’s from Jersey so he’s local,” he said. “Take me out to see all of Manhattan, what it’s all about, kind of a ‘wow’ moment. Maybe I didn’t get over that. I didn’t feel the pressure on the golf course.”
On the golf course, the world’s 72nd-ranked player is having a blast with the New York audience.
“My first time ever getting a crowd like this, shouting my name,” he said. “I don't know how to react to it. This is my first time for the shouting. They give me some really funny names. I try not to remember it.
“It’s crazy. I love it. I just want to remember everything.”