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CNN Live Sunday

Tigermania Invades Thailand

Aired June 17, 2001 - 17:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Tiger Woods has created a golfing craze in Thailand, in all places, with children there hoping and practicing to become as good as their hero. Here is CNN's John Raedler now on these tiny Tiger wannabees.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN RAEDLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not a bad drive, especially for a four and 1/2-year-old. Amarin (ph) is one of thousands of Thai kids caught up in a golf craze inspired by one man.

"I want to be like Tiger," he says. When we ask him why, he answers:

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because he drives very long. And so does Amarin (ph), for his age.

He competed in his first tournament for golf last month and won. His father says, when not playing golf, he is watching it.

American-born Tony Meechi runs golf schools in Thailand and encounters Tigermania every day.

TONY MEECHAI, GOLF TEACHER: It makes my job so much easier when I say, OK, anybody know Tiger Woods? Boom. Anybody want to be Tiger Woods? Boom.

RAEDLER: Pound for pound, the best golfer in the school might be (UNINTELLIGIBLE), two years and 11 months. They say he has a natural swing and when he hits the ball, it stays hit.

We ask him what he knows about Tiger. "He hits," he tells us.

"He hits it big." To Oerin (ph), that's a great joke.

(LAUGHTER)

8-year-old (UNINTELLIGIBLE) works on his short game. He too inspired by one man. Tiger Woods.

All these Tig-tikes practicing to be the next Tiger.

John Raedler, CNN, Bangkok.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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