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Choi leads Johnnie Walker Asian challenge

Choi Kyung-Ju, or ‘KJ’ as the Korean number one and leading Asian player in the world rankings is more familiarly known, heads a strong Asian challenge in the US$2.1 million Johnnie Walker Classic to be played at The Vines Resort in Perth, Western Australia from February 9 to12.

Joining KJ in the 156-player field will be the Asian Tour’s number one, Thaworn Wiratchant, who leads a contingent of seven Thais including the Asian number two Thongchai Jaidee.

The leading Indian player on the world rankings, Jyoti Randhawa, and his young compatriot Shiv Kapur, the winner of last December’s Volvo Masters of Asia, will also hope to do well. Other Asian Tour players include the well-known Wang Ter-Chang from Chinese Taipei and the legendary Filipino golfer, Frankie Minoza.

KJ, who last October won the Chrysler Classic, his third victory on the US PGA Tour, started playing golf at the suggestion of his high school teacher. After studying videos of Jack Nicklaus and long hours on the practice ground, KJ took to the game, turned pro and went on to become the first Korean to earn a US PGA Tour card.

In addition to his Chrysler victory, KJ won the SK Telecom Open, earlier in the year, in his native Korea. Though winless in 2004, KJ recorded 11 top-10 finishes including an impressive third place in the US Masters behind Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els.

Thaworn, the leading Asian Tour money winner in 2005 with earnings of over US$500,000, won a record four tournaments in Asia in a single season and illustrated his consistency with a total of 11 top-10 finishes, missing the cut on only two occasions.

The Asian stars will be joined in Perth by a stellar field that includes the defending champion and world number nine Adam Scott from Australia; world number three and past winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic, Retief Goosen from South Africa; Scot Colin Montgomerie, the European number one and world number 10; New Zealander Michael Campbell, the current US Open Champion, ranked 15 and a past winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic; Nick O’Hern, the world number 24 and home town favourite who was born and still lives in Perth and the popular American, Fred Couples, ranked 26 and winner of the 1995 Johnnie Walker Classic.

Other likely title contenders include English young guns Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, set on winning selection to the European Team for September’s Ryder Cup matches in Ireland.

January 17, 2006