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Chia looks to regain form in Brunei

Malaysia's Danny Chia hopes to find a new drive in his game ahead of next week's Brunei Open, a tournament he contended in last year.

The big-hitting Chia admits that his form in the first half of the Asian Tour season was luke warm but hopes that adjustments to his equipment, especially with the driver, will turn his fortunes around.

Last year, Chia challenged for the title in Brunei, thanks to a course-record 65 in the opening round before he settled for fifth place at Empire Hotel and Country Club. He enjoyed his experience at the luxurious Jack Nicklaus-designed course and can't wait to step foot in the oil-rich sultanate once more.

"I’ve been trying some new shafts on my driver during this mid-season break. So far it's been good. I can’t wait for the second half of the season to start as I’ve got a few new things to try out,” said Chia.

Chia, the first Malaysian to win an Asian Tour title when he triumphed in the 2002 Taiwan Open, put together a steady run of form in the opening legs of the 2006 season but struggled later on with seven missed cuts in 11 tournaments.

“My form was not too good," conceded Chia. "My driving was letting me down so hopefully the second half will be an improvement.

“I am quite confident heading to Brunei. I enjoyed playing the course last year and it will be down to my driver this time around, so I hope to strike it right. The rest of my game feels pretty good.”

Chia, the only full-exempt Malaysian on the burgeoning Asian Tour, is presently ranked 49th on the UBS Order of Merit and needs to ensure he finishes inside the top-60 at the end of the season to keep his full playing rights, which comes with opportunities to feature in the co-sanctioned events with Europe.

Malaysia's other hopefuls in Brunei include Airil Rizman Zahari, who has been knocking on the door to success. He has made the cut in five out of five events on the Asian Tour and he is desperate to enjoy a winning breakthrough.

On many occasions, Airil has forced his way onto the leaderboard at the halfway stages of events but would crumble in the heat of battle during the weekend rounds. "I'm not sure why I've not performed at the weekend but those experiences will help me," said the 28-year-old Airil.

His strongest finish yet was at the Philippine Open where he claimed 26th place.

The evergreen P. Gunasegaran, best remembered for finishing runner-up in the 1994 Malaysian Open, is geared for another strong showing following his impressive outing at the Bangkok Airways Open when he finished in 14th place, his best result yet of the season.

The Malaysian contingent will have to contend with a top field in the Brunei Open which has attracted Asian stars such as Thaworn Wiratchant, last season’s Order of Merit winner, Thongchai Jaidee, a two-time Asian number one, defending champion Terry Pilkadaris of Australia and Indian sensation Jyoti Randhawa, the top ranked player in the region in 2002.

August 14, 2006