ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Open: Pain for Choi as Harrington defends Open: Closing 74 gives Liang more major hopes Open: Tough Open makes Lam eye Asian success Open: Angelo Que means to learn and return Open: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad IGF forms Olympic Committee with eye to 2016 Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Padraig Harrington hungry for more success Michelle Wie to play on PGA Tour again IGF forms 2016 Olympic Committee Greg Norman proud of achievement Ian Poulter impressive with second place Henrik Stenson happy with his best ever finish

Chowrasia aims to bounce back at Taiwan Open

India's newest talent S.S.P. Chowrasia intends to make amends at the US$300,000 Taiwan Open starting on Thursday after his disqualification misery last week.

The Asian Tour rookie was disqualified at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters after failing to sign his second round's scorecard, which he would have taken a three-stroke lead and a shot at glory entering the weekend.

What he endured soon after was a weekend of sleepless nights, replaying his unfortunate mistake over and over again but Chowrasia is determined to bounce back at Sunrise Golf and Country Club this week.

“I did not sleep at all last weekend because of what happened. I’ve been awake the entire time," said the 28-year-old Chowrasia. "But I have put that behind me. I’ve picked myself up and I’m ready for the challenges ahead.

“I am feeling really good about my game and I’m determined to lead the way after the first day, just like how it was last week. I feel it, and I want the lead again.”

Chowrasia has been one of the season's revelations on the Asian Tour, making nine cuts in as many events which include three top-20s. Presently ranked 58th on the UBS Order of Merit, the slightly-built Indian knows he is in a good position to claim a top-60 finish by the end of the season, which comes with a full Tour card and entry into some of Asia's biggest tournaments in 2007.

Such is his growing emergence that Chowrasia will play the opening two rounds at the Taiwan Open with title holder and last year's Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Chinese Taipei's veteran Wang Ter-chang, this year's Brunei Open champion.

“I am happy with my performance this season and I will definitely be taking on a positive approach when I tee off here. I like this course because there are some lengthy holes and the greens are fast and challenging. It is a good test," said Chowrasia.

“I also want to improve my position on the Order of Merit. I need to work hard as finishing in the top-60 is my main goal.”

Thaworn, 39, will defend one of the four titles that he won in a glorious season in 2005, although on a different course this week. Still, the Thai with a magical short game will be expected to challenge for honours, a week after his 54th place finish at the WGC-American Express Championship in England.

Compatriot Prom Meesawat, presently second on the UBS Order of Merit, enters the week as the highest ranked player in the field where he hopes to slash Jeev Milkha Singh's lead in the race to finish as Asia's number one player. He is approximately US$140,000 behind the Indian star with five Order of Merit events remaining.

Former Taiwan Open champions Danny Chia of Malaysia and American Andrew Pitts, who both triumphed at Sunrise, are in this week's field looking for a second crown. Lu Chien-soon, the last Chinese Taipei player to win the Taiwan Open in 1998, is amongst the local hopefuls bidding for the US$47,550 top prize.

In-form Rahil Gangjee of India, who has registered three top-three finishes over his last five tournaments, will be looking for another title charge. Last week's winner Gaurav Ghei, also from India, is taking the week off.


October 4, 2006