ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Jeev re-enters world top 50 Super Singh claims Barclays Jeev can overhaul Brown for OoM Sergio Garcia is new world no. 2 Garcia takes HSBC in a playoff Asian Tour releases 2009 schedule Report predicts 30% China golf growth GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Singh holds off major champions to win Stanford wins Lorena Ochoa Invitational Singh re-enters the World Top 50 Ballesteros likely to leave intensive care PGA Tour releases 2009 schedule

Thaworn eyes victorious return in Pulai Springs

Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant will be determined to make amends when he headlines the US$300,000 Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters starting on Thursday.

After missing only his second cut of the season at the Brunei Open last week, the Thai star is determined to lift his game and finish ahead of the starry line-up at Pulai Springs Resort.

Other top names challenging for honours in the inaugural Malaysian event include India's Shiv Kapur, who is making a return to Asia after a five-month lapse, Singaporean number one Mardan Mamat, who won the OSIM Singapore Masters in March, Philippines' Juvic Pagunsan and Chinese Taipei’s Wang Ter-chang, who triumphed in Brunei last week.

The local hopes will be carried by Danny Chia, who is eager to deliver a long-awaited Malaysian victory on home soil after his only triumph on Tour at the 2002 Taiwan Open.

Thaworn, who produced two top-10s in two previous starts before his Brunei blip, is looking to return to winning ways in the country which delivered two of his eight career victories in Asia.

“The course is very good but the big hitters will definitely benefit as some the holes here are quite long,” said Thaworn, presently 12th on the UBS Order of Merit. “I did not have the best of results in Brunei but I quite like the course here and I hope to produce a stronger performance this week,” he added.

Chia, one of the biggest hitters on Tour, will be looking for a change in fortunes following a recent run of poor results where he has missed his last four cuts. The 50th ranked Chia hopes to take advantage of the par fives at Pulai Springs and help contribute towards Malaysia's National Day celebration on Thursday with a strong first round performance.

“The two par fives out here suit me very well and the fairways are generally wide. There are a couple of long par fours but if you strike it good on the par fives, you should be able to reach the greens in two,” said Chia.

“This event is quite exciting for me because it falls on our National Day and I am eager to go out there and produce a good run,” he added.

Kapur competed against the world's best golfers in the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational in the United States last week and is keen to make an impression on his return to Asia.

The 24-year-old's last taste of action in the region was in the Macau Open in May before spending most of his name abroad where he has secured his European Tour card for next season.

“Last week was a great learning experience for me. I feel like my game is ready and I am playing much better now. I am looking forward to this event and I hope to be back in the winner’s circle,” said Kapur, winner of last year's season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand.

“I’ve managed to play the first nine holes here at Pulai Springs Resort and I enjoyed it. If you take a few chances, you can make birdies. It requires some demanding tee shots as well, especially on the par fives.

“I’m going to go out and play my game. It is a very strong field in this event and my aim is to challenge the top guys out there. I’ve learnt to bounce back from one bad shot or bad hole after my experience last week which I will apply here.

“My main focus is to take it a step at a time but since my win after the Volvo Masters of Asia last year, I’ve been eager to win again, so I hope I can put myself into a good position here in Johor,” said Kapur, who is a former Malaysian Amateur Open champion.

India's Jyoti Randhawa, Asia's number one in 2002, Thailand’s Chinarat Phandungsil, winner of the Crowne Plaza Open in China a fortnight ago, and Boonchu Ruangkit will all face off in Malaysia. Two-time Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee, meanwhile, withdrew from the event.

The Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters is making its maiden appearance on the Asian Tour where it is the 19th leg of the 2006 season. There is also plenty to play for this week as the top-five finishers will secure places in the US$3 million Barclays Singapore Open next week.

August 30, 2006