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Malaysia's 'Big Ben' looking for strong start to the season

Malaysian youngster Ben Leong intends to maintain his flying start to his professional career with strong outings in the Asian Tour's season-opening events, the Philippine Open and Pakistan Open next month.

The 20-year-old became the first Malaysian to win the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in Thailand a fortnight ago and is now ready to challenge Asia's best players.

The Philippine Open will be staged from January 11-14 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, followed by the Pakistan Open at the Karachi Golf Club a week later.

The US-trained Leong defeated an experienced line-up of players at the Qualifying School which included winners from the European, Australasian and Japan Golf Tours. The fine achievement came straight after a top-10 finish at the Asian Games in Qatar, following which Leong relinquished his amateur status.

“Winning the Qualifying School was great and I am now feeling confident heading to the Philippine Open. I played in my first ever international junior tournament at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club which I won some eight years ago, so I hope I can repeat that performance in my aim to win a first Asian Tour title,” said Leong, who won the Putra Cup individual title in 2003 followed by a double success (team and individual title) in 2005.

“I remember Chris Rodgers' feat earlier this year when he won the Qualifying School followed by his first tournament win on Tour at the Pakistan Open. I really like the course there in Manila and I hope the conditions are not too different from how they were before.”

Leong spent several years at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in United States and became the first Malaysian to qualify for the prestigious US Amateur Championship last year. He owes his success to his father, N.C., who guided Leong during his early years before Leong headed to the US on a golf scholarship.

At the Qualifying School, N.C. caddied for Leong and the father-son combination proved successful. “My dad is great. He has been a tremendous support throughout. On the course, he is like my friend. We discuss my performance, he knows my game inside out, so we get along well,” he said.

“I am also eager to play in Pakistan. It will not be tiring for me as I should be well rested. I have to get used to the traveling. I was really exhausted after the Asian Games but now I know how to cope and I hope to bring my experiences from the Qualifying School to the Philippines and Pakistan," said Leong.

The young Malaysian is also eager to visit Pakistan for the first time. “It will be my first ever trip to Pakistan so I am excited to get there. I heard that the conditions there are very challenging and so I am looking forward to it. It will be good,” he added.

December 26, 2006