Mardan warms up for British in Brunei

Mardan Mamat has been dreaming of his imminent British Open appearance since earning his ticket through qualifying two months ago. But the Singaporean number one wants to take care of more immediate business by challenging for the inaugural Brunei Open next week.

Mardan last visited Brunei more than 10 years ago when he represented his country as an amateur in the Putra Cup and the launch of Brunei's first professional event has caught his attention.

"The last time I was in Brunei was more than 10 years ago. It's good that Brunei has finally initiated the launch of their national Open on the Asian Tour. I do hope that this tournament will become a permanent fixture and grow into a big event," said Mardan.

As the US$300,000 Brunei Open will be his last stop before heading to St Andrews for the year's third Major in July, Mardan is naturally hoping to fly into Scotland as the inaugural Brunei Open champion.

"I feel confident of doing well. I'm feeling good about my game and my fitness has improved. I have heard a lot of good things about next week's course, the Empire Hotel and Country Club and it could be a good send off for the British Open," said Mardan.

Mardan, the reigning Indian Open champion, is presently ranked 39th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and conceded that his form was not up to par in the first half of the season. "I played well in the early part of the year but from the end of March, I lost a bit of form. I took on a new fitness regime and lost a bit of weight which seemed to have affected my game.

"But now, I've completed the programme and I feel strong and good. The game is all about being fit, you just have to look at Vijay Singh as an example. You have to focus on fitness to compete on a high level consistently," said Mardan, who was part of the winning Asian team at the Visa Dynasty Cup in April.

After Brunei, Mardan will head home before leaving for Scotland in the first week of July. He will spend as much time as possible practising at St Andrews Old Course, the Home of Golf. It will be his second appearance in the Open after his debut at Royal Troon in 1997.

"I will try to play as many practice rounds on the Old Course to familiarise myself and work out a game plan. But the challenge will also be to keep warm as the weather there can turn for the worse easily."

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand will headline the field in Brunei along with Visa Dynasty Cup teammates Angelo Que of the Philippines, Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit and India's Amandeep Johl.

Singapore-based Australian Scott Barr, currently fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and compatriots Marcus Both and Scott Strange, both winners in Asia, will also be challenging for the Brunei Open title.

June 17, 2005

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