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Mardan hopes to extend good form

Singaporean stalwart Mardan Mamat hopes to continue his fiery run as he heads into the US$700,000 Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open beaming with confidence.

Since his success last week, the Singaporean number one will be back on the ball when he tees off with two-time Major champion Retief Goosen of South Africa and Korea's Kevin Na at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.

“I am enjoying myself now and I am feeling confident heading into the Korea Open. But as I’ve mentioned before, I will take it at my own pace and not rush into things. The field in Korea is strong so I have to be focused if I wish to get a good result,” he said.

Mardan, 38, enjoyed a restful couple of days in Singapore after his success with partner Lam Chih Bing at the World Cup Qualifier in Malaysia last week.

“My form has been good recently and I managed to maintain it at the World Cup Qualifier. My partner was solid throughout and we supported each other well. It will be very tough in Korea as well but I hope to go out there and enjoy my game,” said Mardan.

The Singaporean talent enjoyed his second success on the Asian Tour at the OSIM Singapore Masters in March. Since the win, however, he has endured a sluggish run until his outing at Koh Samui.

Mardan regained his form and came out third at the Bangkok Airways Open in June and later finished in joint 12th position at the star-studded Barclays Singapore Open two weeks ago.

A week later, Mardan, together with Lam, led the way since the second round at the World Cup Qualifier and finished ahead of a talented pool of stars.

Besides the presence of Goosen and Na, Mardan will be up against Asia’s best at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. They include Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant, two-time Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee, a former Korea Open winner and Korea's Charlie Wi and title holder Choi Gwang-soo of Korea.

Also vying for the title are this season’s winners Australian Kane Webber, Suk Jong-yul of Korea, Thailand's Chinarat Phadungsil and Prom Meesawat.

The Korean Open is the 21st leg of the 2006 Asian Tour Schedule.


September 19, 2006