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Moselely seeks to relaunch career in India

Australian Jarrod Moseley, the forgotten man in golf, hopes to resuscitate his career with victory at the inaugural Aamby Valley Asian Masters starting on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Moseley, playing in this week's US$400,000 Asian Tour event on a sponsor's invite, is rebuilding his game after losing his card in Europe last season and failing to earn playing rights on the Asian Tour.

"It has been a bit frustrating. I only have myself to blame. It's a matter rebuilding and I'm not regretting anything that I've done," said Moseley today.

The Perth-based Moseley was on the path to stardom when he claimed his first major victory at the Heineken Classic in front of his home fans in 1999, 18 months after turning professional. He played regularly on the European Tour with some success until losing his card last season.

Moseley said his focus on his family, where he has two young kids with twins on their way in October, saw him take his foot off the pedal and he paid dearly for it. "The start was great, I know how to win and I just need to get into position to win again. I haven't played for six weeks but have been practising a bit. I'm just looking forward to getting back out there and putting in a good performance here as it's a fantastic course and the Asian Tour has done a brilliant job. It's a good test," said Moseley.

After missing out on Europe last November, Moseley failed to finish inside the top-40 of the Asian Tour Qualifying School as well, leaving him with full privileges only in Australia. But with golf going global these days, the Aussie wants to be back in the thick of the fray.

"I was going through a bad patch then and it was unfortunate. But I feel my game is coming back together. I spent a lot of time with my family and my focus came off a little bit and your foot has to come off the pedal just a little bit for a lot of guys to get past you. It's just a matter of rebuilding now."

Life has also been tough for India's Harmeet Kahlon this season. After his triumph in the 2002 Hero Honda Masters in India, many expected him to establish himself in Asia but the process has been slow. "I've had my ups and downs, I'm plugging along. My coach Jonathan Yarwood and I have worked on a couple of things and you need time. It doesn’t happen overnight," said Kahlon, who has missed seven cuts in 10 starts this season.

"At times it's been frustrating but the key is you have to manage your frustrations and emotions. I curse at myself at times and get irritated with my wife which is not so good but she's been a great support.

"I'm confident of my capabilities and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter everyday," said Kahlon.

A man in form at Aamby Valley City is Malaysia's Iain Steel, who contended at the SK Telecom Open in Korea last week before finishing seventh and was tied 12th at the previous week's Maekyung Open where he won a BMW car for a hole in one.

Steel, who enjoyed one season on the US PGA Tour in 1998, has played most of his golf in the US and Canada before switching his focus to Asia. Five months into his rookie season here, Steel, who is of Scottish-Malaysian parentage, said the hardest thing for him was not the pressure of performing, but adapting to the different cultures and particularly, the food.

"It has been a challenge. I've got to find the right combination of food every where I go as I have to take care of my health," said Steel. "I have put myself into contention and one of these days I will manage to break through.

"In hindsight, I didn't have to play great golf to win last week. I just putted poorly with 35 putts in the last round and didn't give myself a chance. I've been playing well all year, but have not been able to put everything together," added the Malaysian.

It only his second start of the year, Filipino talent Gerald Rosales, once touted as a future star in Asia, is hoping a new putter would revive his flagging fortunes. The 29-year-old does not hold full playing rights on the Asian Tour and knows he must perform well whenever the opportunity arises.

"It's hard staying at home. I've just got to fight it and work harder and be more focussed," said Rosales, whose sister Jennifer is a winner on the LPGA Tour.

"My sister keeps telling me to work hard and that it'll pay off. My putting has let me down over the last couple of years and I think I've changed five to six putters during that period. I've found a new one recently and I like it."

Other top players at the inaugural Aamby Valley Asian Masters include three-time winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia and India's Amandeep Johl, both players ranked inside the top-20 of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

The Aamby Valley City spreads over 10,000 acres of land and is nestled in the cradle of nature amidst the picturesque hills of the Sahayadri range. It is a city that spells success, aspiration and above all, world-class lifestyle. It is within direct access from Mumbai.

May 10, 2006