Asian Tour stars in form for second half of season

The second half of the season will be an eagerly awaited challenge as it marks the return of the Asian Tour stars who have proved their mettle abroad during the mid-year break.

While many were enjoying the summer break with family and friends, a handful of Asian Tour stalwarts have kept a busy schedule by featuring in Japan, Europe and United States.

Among the players who took home a bag of experience was Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant who had an inspirational run when he finished in tied 31st in The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool on Sunday.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh has also continued with his impressive run of form where he has enjoyed top-ten finishes at the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship and the recent Sammy Sega Cup in Japan in July while Thai star Thongchai Jaidee was ranked joint 12th at the Barclays Scottish Open, which paraded an elite line-up of global stars.

Singh’s strong performance has not only kept his momentum going throughout the off season period on the Asian Tour but it has also helped reinforce his stature as one of the best in the region.

His top-10 performance in Japan was backed by a superb showing in Ireland when he claimed fourth spot at the Smurfit European Open.

The Asian Tour young guns were also in the thick of the fray with India’s latest star Shiv Kapur and Aussie duo of Andrew Buckle and Jarrod Lyle making appearances at The Open.

It was an adventurous run for Buckle who was competing in his second Open championship. Buckle, who is ranked third on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, had to make a last minute dash to compete at Royal Liverpool Golf Club as he replaced South African Trevor Immelman. On the other side of the world, Buckle had previously chalked up a third place finish at the Peek n’ Peak Classic in New York.

“I definitely will come back to Asia for the Barclays Singapore Open (in September) and if I play well in the US, I might even come back early to Asia to play in a few more,” said Buckle.

Asian Tour's Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong will also create history in United States next month when they compete at The International at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado. It will be the first time two Chinese players will be in the field for a US PGA Tour event.

The excitement on the Asian Tour will continue with the staging of the Crowne Plaza Open, Brunei Open and Pulai Springs Classic as the first three events lined-up for the second half of the season.

And with the quality performances displayed by the Asian Tour stalwarts on the international stage the past weeks, it merely reflects what is in store in the coming months when they tee off once again in search for glory in Asia.

July 26, 2006

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