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Chia seeks Brunei boost for British Open

Malaysia's Danny Chia will be aiming for a title run at the inaugural Brunei Open next week before he takes his place in golf annals by becoming the country's first player to feature in the British Open.

The 32-year-old Chia has enjoyed a recent run of good form, with a sixth place finish at the Philippine Open and a runner-up outing in a domestic event last week adding to his growing confidence.

As the US$300,000 Brunei Open at the spectacular Empire Hotel and Country Club will be his final event on the Asian Tour before he leaves for St Andrews, Scotland to play in the year's third Major next month, Chia hopes to put in another strong performance.

"It'll be good to play well in Brunei as that would be my last tournament before I head to St Andrews," said Chia today.

"I've played well in recent months and I'm looking forward to the Brunei Open. I heard that the course is a great challenge and because it's built next to the South China Sea, the wind could be a factor there which would prepare me well for the British Open.

"I hope to contend in Brunei next week."

Chia became the first Malaysian to qualify for a Major when he finished tied second in the British Open international final qualifiers at Saujana Golf and Country Club in April. Since then, he has been busy preparing for his big week where he will line up alongside the game's stars such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh.

The big-hitting Chia, who won the Taiwan Open in 2002 to become Malaysia's first winner on Tour, said that he will head to the United Kingdom early to prepare for the British Open.

"I've got to learn the various shots required for links golf, such as the bump-and-run approach shots and low trajectory shots. I've been working with my coach Kel Llewellyn on certain techniques and he's also been telling me about his experiences of links golf, which helps greatly," said Chia, who is currently ranked 61st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

At St Andrews, regarded as the Home of Golf, Chia's first aim would be to qualify for the weekend rounds but nothing would give him greater pleasure if he gets a big-name pairing.

Chia said he would not be overawed by the occasion, saying that his experience from playing at the World Cup in 2000 and 2001 in Japan and Argentina respectively will be put to good use. "I've played alongside some big name players like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington in the past, so it won't be a problem for me to line-up alongside the top guys," said Chia.

He also received a boost from one of his sponsors, Canon, earlier this week who increased its sponsorship to cover Chia's trip to St Andrews. "It is a great honour for me to play in the British Open, being the first Malaysian to do so, and my gratitude goes to Canon for their continuous and generous support of me over the years."

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, last year's Asian Tour number one, Singaporean Mardan Mamat and Australian Richard Moir will join Chia at the British Open.

June 15, 2005