Porani tries for back-to-back victories in Macau

Thailand's Porani Chutichai fresh from her victory in the Taiwan Ladies Open last week, is also in the mood to bag the US$80,000 Macau Ladies Open presented by CTM at the Macau Golf and Country Club beginning on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old young talent from the highland-town of Chiangrai, in the north of Thailand, who pocketed the winner's cheque of US$18,000 last week is game to maintain a stranglehold in Asia this year.

Porani, who was fifth on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour Order of Merit last season, showed her seriousness when she was the first to arrive at Macau Golf and Country Club for her practice round and workout at the driving range and putting greens.

In fact, the pretty pint-sized Porani wants to even go further to get a hat-trick as she's also down to play in next week's Hong Kong Ladies Masters at Discovery Bay Golf Club.

"All I need is a spark to keep the fire burning. I got that spark by winning last week's Taiwan Ladies Open. I aim to repeat that winning run here in Macau and God willing in Hong Kong next week too," said Porani.

The spark, according to Porani is confidence. She said: "When I'm confident my game is always at its best. I just keep picking up strokes and make very little mistakes. The confidence I derived from Taiwan last week is still firing me up to go for my second win here this week. If I'm able to do it, then for sure I'll be chasing a hat-trick in Hong Kong next week."

Incidentally, at the Macau Ladies Open last year, Porani was pipped in a playoff with eventual winner Ji Eun-hee of South Korea.

"I have a busy schedule this year. I have qualified for the fourth stage of the Japan LPGA that entitles me to play in 10 tournaments in Japan. I'm going to play in all 10 of them," she claimed.

Last year Porani fared relatively well in the Ladies Asian Golf Tour. She finished runner-up in Macau, third in Thailand Ladies Open, 15 th in Hong Kong Ladies Masters and Zhuhai Ladies Open and 18th in the Malaysian Ladies Open.

However, Porani is not going to be complacent because she knows the field here this week is strong. Among them is Malaysia's Cindy Lee, a newcomer to the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, Smitri Mehra of India, as well as the Korean and Japanese players.

Cindy has already played two seasons on the Futures Tour in the US and is now pitting her skills in the Ladies Asian Golf Tour before going to play her third season on the Futures Tour in mid March.

"The field here is strong and I believe it is the best avenue to get myself prepared for my assault on the Futures Tour this season. There were a lot of ups and downs in my game last year but now I'm more consistent especially after seeking help form Michele Drinkard who guided me on my swings and short game. I'm now able to cut down on the excess and get better scores," lamented Cindy shortly before going out for a practice round at Macau Golf and Country Club.

The Macau Ladies Open, which is also strongly supported by the Macau Tourism Board, will feature players from India, China, USA, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, England, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Brazil and the Philippines.

January 22, 2007

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