Johl and Yates celebrate 200th appearances in Brunei

Indian stalwart Amandeep Johl and Scottish sensation Simon Yates will celebrate their 200th appearance on the Asian Tour when they tee off at the US$300,000 Brunei Open on Thursday.

Johl, 37, who is currently ranked 17th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, and Yates, who has claimed two Asian Tour titles, are in high spirits as they hope to continue their fiery form at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

“It’s nice to reach another milestone on the Asian Tour. I’ve witnessed the Tour grow right from the beginning and I’ve enjoyed the past 199 events,” said Johl.

“I love playing in good courses like the one here in Brunei. It’s a great Jack Nicklaus-designed course and I’ve always been eager to compete at this course. I enjoyed playing here last year in the inaugural event and I am confident of another memorable run this edition.

“I’m quite happy with my growth pattern the past years. It requires a certain amount of patience as I’m still in search for my first win on the Asian Tour.

“My form recently has been good as I played well last week after a two month break. I made a few errors and worked on my golf swing, but it is a normal thing to do after you’ve taken a break,” said Johl, who finished joint ninth at the Crowne Plaza Open last week.

“I am quite happy with my result in China and hope that I can do much better this week.”

It was a similar sentiment shared by Yates who was out of action since April when he sustained a shoulder injury. The 36-year-old Scotsman made a return with a joint 15th place finish last week and is on course in Brunei hoping to continue his momentum.

“My shoulder injury has not fully recovered but thankfully it does not affect my game. I am excited to be back on the Asian Tour and to compete here in Brunei,” said Yates, who clinched the 1998 Sabah Masters title and was the winner of the 2004 SK Telecom Open.

“My two wins were among the highlights of my career on the Asian Tour but hopefully I will win a few more tournaments,” said Yates.

The other title contenders present at the Brunei Open is defending champion Terry Pilkadaris of Australia, Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, who is the reigning Asian Tour number one, Scott Strange of Australia, the Philippine Open winner, India's Jyoti Randhawa and Osim Singapore Masters champion Mardan Mamat.

“The field here is strong and over the last couple of years I’ve realised that I have been trying to hang in there with the young boys,” said Yates.

Kane Webber is among the young guns tipped for a strong outing in Brunei. The 26-year-old made his presence felt with a win at the Macau Open in May, which was his second event on the Asian Tour.

Chris Rodgers, winner of the Qualifying School and Pakistan Open, will also be banking on a return of form. The 30-year-old had previously finished third in the Philippine Open.

August 23, 2006

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