Chia aims to make up for early 2006 Brunei exit

Malaysia’s Danny Chia will be fired up for redemption when he tees up at the US$300,000 Brunei Open from August 30 to September 2.

Chia will be amongst the best players from the Asian Tour bandwagon to arrive at the award-winning Empire Hotel and Country Club for the third edition of Brunei’s only professional golf tournament.

The big-hitting Malaysian came agonizingly close to a second Asian Tour victory in the inaugural edition two years ago and after missing the halfway cut here last season here, he is eager to stamp his mark once more.

The 34-year-old Chia will be looking to draw some confidence from his course record eight-under-par 63 at Empire Hotel which he shot during the first round of the Brunei Open in 2005. He had led for the opening two rounds but eventually settled for fifth place.

A good outing in Brunei will also keep him firmly on the comeback trail after enduring a bleak front half of the season where he missed numerous cuts and suffered a dip in confidence.

During the summer break, Chia spent countless of hours rebuilding his game and has also focused on his physical fitness. And he is counting on his hard work to pay off in Brunei.

“I’ve been trying to cut down on my bad habits this season and the adjustments on my game are taking time to happen,” said Chia, who is currently ranked 99th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.

“I’ve been working hard during the summer break (over the last two months). I feel good and I hope to improve on my ranking and get into the top-60 to keep my full playing privileges on the Asian Tour,” added the Malaysian.

Chia was the first Malaysian to record a victory on the Asian Tour when he triumphed at the Taiwan Open in 2002 but has subsequently struggled to contend regularly. He admitted that self-inflicted pressure led to his loss in form but Chia is now looking forward to the remainder of the year.

He played in all four rounds at this week’s Iskandar Johor Open to start the second half of the season on the right note and is looking to build on his performance at the Brunei Open.

Chia will face a top field which includes current UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong of China, defending champion Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei and this season’s winners including Malaysian Airil Rizman, Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Korean Lee Sung and American Jason Knutzon.

Australian Scott Hend, ranked third on the UBS Order of Merit, will also make his debut in the Brunei Open.

August 26, 2007

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