Steve Elkington keen to impress at Macau Open

The 43-year-old Aussie, who is a major champion, is looking forward to face off with the pros after fully recovering from a groin injury which kept him out of The Players Championship late March and The Masters Tournament early last month.

“It is my first time to Macau and the conditions at the Macau Golf and Country Club is great. It is so different to what I thought. I thought it was going to be flat but it is hilly. It is amazing to see what’s going on especially in Macau with the casinos and everything here,” said Elkington, who is one of Australia’s finest golfers winning 10 titles on the US PGA Tour.

After a steady path to recovery, Elkington will now be up against Chinese Taipei veteran and defending champion Wang Ter-chang, India’s Shiv Kapur, who is ranked 13th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, and Chinese star Zhang Liang-wei.

“The injury fully healed three weeks ago. I stayed at home for around a month and played golf everyday. Only problem with the groin is that you can’t push off as much, it’s like a strain. But now, I have no problems at all, “ he added.

“I just decided instead of trying to rush my way back, I wanted to take a slow path to recovery. I know I was coming here and aimed to be fit. I also wanted to enjoy the month off.”

“This course takes a far bit of knowledge to get around. It’s got a different style. You have to know the wind. The Asian Tour players always do well in this region but I will try my best,” he said.

Wang, meanwhile, seemed unfazed by the array of stars as he believes the experience he has over the rest of the field will see him through a second consecutive title.

“Of course there is going to be stiff competitive but I am more familiar with this course as I’ve played here for seven years so I have the advantage,” said Wang.

“I have prepared well and if the weather is good, I will have a strong chance at the title,” he said.

Kapur, fresh from his encounter at the British Masters on Sunday, admitted that his caddie’s (Brian Murphy) knowledge on the course will be vital in his bid for a good run in Macau.

“Playing at the British Masters was a good experience for me and I hope to adopt what I learnt there and bring it here,” said Kapur, who was last year’s Volvo Masters of Asia champion.

“I won’t say I’m fresh but I’m not exhausted. I’m mentally fresh.

“The wind is going to be a factor this week. I’ve played this course before and I kind of know what to do. My caddie lived in Macau for 18 years and he knows the course really well so I will rely on him quite a bit this week,” he said.

Zhang also has fond memories competing in Macau when he won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. The Chinese talent is hoping that his success on the domestic tour last week where he won the Zhuhai leg will spur him on to deliver a similar result this weekend.

“My confidence is very high with my win last week. There is pressure in every tournament and I will try my best this week,” said Zhang, who clinched five titles on the Asian Tour.

“I will drive every shot low and I believe I will have an advantage as it is windy here but I aim to have a good time as well.”

May 17, 2006