It is a case of 'after a storm comes a calm' for Jazz (Atiwit) Janewattananond, who has been enjoying success in professional golf after his amateur stint ended in disappointing fashion.
Jazz Janewattananond
At the age of 14 years, two months and 11 days, he became the youngest player to have made the cut on the Asian Tour at the Asian Tour International in Nakhon Pathom in February 2010.
He was expected to shine at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China later that year. But his conflict with the Thailand Golf Association (TGA) led to him quitting the national side just a few months before the tournament.
A few weeks after the 2010 Asian Games, Jazz decided to turn professional and took part in the King's Cup on the Asian Tour in Khon Kaen.
He made his presence felt on the professional circuit by finishing tied for 44th in Khon Kaen. The teenager has since won two tournaments, including his triumph at last week's Singha All Thailand Championship in Chon Buri.
He won by five strokes in a competitive field which included Asian Tour No.1 Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng, one of the most successful golfers this year.
"After he missed the trip to Guangzhou, we had no choice," his father Kajorndej said.
"I think we made the right decision."
Jazz, now 17, found it tough on the professional circuit despite his result in Khon Kaen. Although he received financial support from the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), he and his handlers had to find their own sponsors.
He is from a well-to-do family and his family members gave him an initial fund in the early stage of his professional career.
"Our family members gave him six million baht so that he could enjoy his game without financial worries," Kajorndej said.
It seems that Jazz may now not need the money. In his first 16 tournaments this year _ nine domestic tournaments and seven Asian Tour events _ Jazz already earned about two million baht, mostly from his victories at the Prime City tournament and the Singha All Thailand Championship.
The grade 12 student has also received support from his Global English School in Nonthaburi, which gives him special tuition and a discount on fees.
Jazz has not been taught only to be a good golfer but also a role model for young people. He will not take sponsorship from companies whose products are considered social vices, such as cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.
"Yes, I need sponsors but I will not deal with such companies," Jazz insisted.
In his free time, Jazz usually stays in Hua Hin, where he can practise and use facilities at Black Mountain Golf Club, which is one of his sponsors. He often plays with British golfer Simon Yates.
In the second half of the year, Jazz will be quite busy playing on both domestic and Asian tours with his ultimate goal of earning an Asian Tour card.
"I hope to finish the season in the top 60 on the Asian Tour's money list to earn a card and play in all Asian Tour events next year," said Jazz, who has failed to earn a tour card twice at the qualifying school.
Jazz is currently 52nd on the money list with US$29,915 after seven tournaments with about 11 tournaments remaining.
He should earn around $60,000 by the end of the year to reach his goal. He stands a good chance to achieve that because there are many big tournaments in the second half of the season, including the Thailand Golf Championship and the King's Cup with each offering a total purse of $1 million.
He has also qualified for the $1.3 million Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, which is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and the Asian Tour. Jazz wants to hone his skills in Asia before targeting a bigger tour.
"I want to use the Asian Tour as a platform to go to the European Tour," he said. "I have to do well in Asia before going to Europe."
While he did not play for his country at the 2010 Asian Games, he wants to play for Thailand at the 2016 Olympics.
"There is still a long way to the Olympics and Thailand has a lot of good golfers," he said. "I will do it step by step. I will do my best and see how good I can do."