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Asian golfers looking to shine at Singapore Open

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand poses during the Barclay’s Singapore Open Pro Am event yesterday at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. PHOTO: AFP

The cream of Asian golf are determined to make a name for themselves at the cash-rich Singapore Open this week, with the race to end the season as the region’s No. 1 also a key motivator.

The Asian Tour is well represented here with six recent Order of Merit champions in the field and 18 of the current top 20 competing alongside players of the calibre of Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els.

Asia has not celebrated a home triumph in Singapore since the event was revived in 2005, with Thailand’s evergreen Thaworn Wiratchant being the last Asian winner in 2001.

Reigning Asian Tour No. 1 Liang Wen-chong leads the cast alongside former Order of Merit champions India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa, Thaworn and his compatriot Thongchai Jaidee.

New Zealand’s Mark Brown, currently leading the race to become Asia’s No. 1 this year after two victories, will attempt to defend his lead of more than US$150,000 over Singh as the Tour enters the business end of its season.

Other leading names tipped to mount strong title challenges include Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng and India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia.

With a check of US$792,500 on offer for the champion and the runner-up taking home US$542,500, the make-up of the Order of Merit list could change dramatically at the conclusion of Asia’s richest national Open.

India’s Singh returns after missing out on last year’s event to defend his Volvo Masters title in Spain on the European Tour.

“I’m playing well and I’m feeling in good shape now. The next few weeks are going to be pretty exciting because these big prize money events will largely determine the Order of Merit champion,” he said.

His main rival Brown is hoping to bounce back after a disappointing 53rd at the HSBC Champions last weekend.

“I didn’t play really well last week but it’s a brand new week for me again in Singapore,” he said. “I played pretty well there last year, finishing in the top 10 and I hope to do well again this year,” said the Kiwi.

The top Asian finishers in the past three years in Singapore will also present tough challenges. Thailand’s Prom Meesawat, sixth last year, Liang, fourth in 2006 and Korea’s Ted Oh, fourth in 2005, will be hoping to improve on their record at Sentosa.

Thaworn, who is enjoying another stellar season with one win and five other top-10s, is relishing the opportunity to vie for the lucrative prize purse.

“It’s always good to have a chance to go back and play in Singapore,” he said. “That win in 2001 will always hold fond memories for me and I’ll try my best to win again.”

Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han is expecting regional players to whip up a strong challenge.

“The Barclays Singapore Open is a gathering of not only the world’s best players but also the finest from the Asian Tour,” he said. “This will ensure a great week of golf which will showcase Asia’s strength in depth.”
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