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Local hero Hussain seeks Pakistan glory

Local hero Taimur Hussain will be gunning for glory on home turf when he competes in the US$200,000 Pakistan Open which tees off on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Hussain, the only Pakistani player to win in Asia when he lifted the Myanmar Open title in 1998, has been away from the limelight in recent years, spending his time mostly on the Japanese Challenge (secondary) Tour since 2001.

But with the Asian Tour growing with record prize funds and tournaments, the talented Hussain is keen to relaunch his career in Asia and knows a strong showing in his home Open will put him in good stead.

“Having the Pakistan Open for the first time on the Asian Tour is a fantastic boost for golf in Pakistan and I hope to do well here. Asian Tour has many top class players and I want to play more often on the Asian Tour if I get the opportunity,” said Hussain.

“With the amount of television and newspaper coverage, sponsors would definitely come forward and support the Pakistan Open in the future,” he said.

Filipino legend Frankie Minoza, who won the Pakistan Open back in 1989, and Korea’s Chan Song, brother to famous twin golfers Aree and Naree Song, are also aiming to stamp their mark in the Pakistan Open, which includes top players such as India's Jeev Milkha Singh and Amandeep Johl, and Australian Marcus Both, who is currently currently sixth on the UBS Order of Merit.

“It is great to be back after winning this tournament back in 1989 and hope for a good outing here,” said Frankie.

Both meanwhile is determined to carry his momentum from last year as he hopes to be in the running for the title.

“If I keep playing like how I did last year, I can be in contention, so lets just wait and see,” said Both.

Asia's Visa Dynasty Cup team members Angelo Que of the Philippines and Singapore's Mardan Mamat will also be looking to sparkle in Pakistan.

For Chan, the Pakistan event, which is the second leg of this season's Asian Tour Schedule, provides an immediate opportunity for him to make a name for himself and step out of his sisters' shadows after earning his Tour card from Qualifying School in Malaysia.

“I have high expectations coming into this event but I am truly grateful to be here as I narrowly made the cut during Qualifying School over the weekend,” said Chan, who finished tied 33rd at Qualifying School Finals at the weekend.

“I don’t want to pressure myself and will it take it slow but my main objective this year is to finish in the top 10 in the money list,” said the 22-year-old

The US$200,000 championship tees off on Thursday and it will also be the first Asian Tour tournament to receive a substantial increase in Official World Golf Ranking points.

January 18, 2006