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Russamee: No more playing second fiddle

The Asia Miles Binhai Ladies Open beginning tomorrow at Binhai Golf Club will be a triple challenge for Thailand's Russamee Gulynamitta.

For one, Russie, as she is affectionately known in the golf fraternity, hopes to put and end to finishing runner-up.

Secondly, she hopes to end a three-year drought in winning a title. "Between last year and now, I finished runner-up in four tournaments and I hope to put and stop to it. It's time to win. I nearly did that at the Women's Indian Open last week, but failed in the playoff against Chinese Taipei's Tseng Ya Ni," she said.

Looked upon as 'big sister' to the Thai lady professionals, she leads Thailand's nine-woman challenge in the Asia Miles-Binhai Ladies Open.

Last year, Russie finished runner-up in the Taiwan Ladies Open, Hong Kong Ladies Masters and the Malaysian Ladies Open. Last week in New Delhi, it was the same old story.

More importantly, a win at the Asia Miles-Binhai Ladies Open would be a triple joy for Russie, as she would not only get her first win in three years, but also be able to clinch the LAGT Order-of-Merit title and be able to pre-celebrate her 31 st birthday, which falls which falls on March 31.

"The weather is cold out here. I'm not going to freeze but try and be as hot as possible," said Russie.

The spoilers for Russie will come in the form of Chinese Taipei's Wei Yun Jye, the only player in the field of 133 to have a world ranking. Wei is currently ranked 35th in the Rolex World Ranking list. She was the fifth highest in the money list in the Japan LPGA last year. "I feel good here. I'll put my experience to best use," said the 26-year-old from Taipei who will be challenged by compatriot Tseng Ya Ni, the winner of the DLF Women's Indian Open last week.

Choi Na-yeon of Korea is another hot player to watch. With two victories in the KLPGA Tour, last season and a runner-up spot at the 2006 Orient China Ladies Open, Na-yeon is currently third on the KLPGA Money List.

Among the other winners on the Asian Tour are USA's Natalie Tucker and Libby Smith winner of the Macau Ladies Open and the Hong Kong Ladies Masters respectively in January and February.

"With the strongest field out there for the finale, it all depends who can hang out there and play consistently. I will like to believe that I can match my words and give my best before going back to play on the US LPGA Tour," said Libby Smith.

Host China will bank heavily on Zhang Na to upstage the renowned professionals. Zhang, who will be playing on the Japan Tour this season has been hard at work and is hoping to silence the starry field.

"I feel I'm a better player now. I've done everything for this challenge. A good start tomorrow will boost my confidence. I hope to be among the players on the leaderboard to be within striking distance," said Zhang.

The winner of Asia Miles-Binhai Ladies Open will be granted a two-year (07, 08) exemption to play on the KLPGA Tour while the Order-of-Merit winner will get to play in the Korean Ladies Open hosted by Korea Golf Association.

March 20, 2007