Six Asian Tour members looking for PGA glory

A strong contingent of six Asian Tour members will compete in this week’s PGA Championship, the year’s final Major, but none would be more fired up than India’s Jyoti Randhawa.

The former Asian number one endured a futile wait at the previous Major, the British Open, last month where he was first alternate but now that he has got his chance at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma this week, the Indian is determined to make full use of his start.

“It’s the gathering of the world’s best players. That’s where I want to compete,” said Randhawa.

He will be joined by compatriot and last year’s UBS Order of Merit champion Jeev Milkha Singh, current leader Liang Wen-chong of China, who is making his Major debut, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, Korean Yang Yong-eun and England’s Simon Dyson.

Asian Tour graduate Choi Kyung-ju, who enjoyed a career first top-10 at the British Open last month and widely acknowledged as the Asian most likely to win a Major, will also be in the hunt.

Randhawa has enjoyed a strong season in Europe where he has notched two top-10s and three other top-25s since May. But it is the Majors that the Indian wants to succeed after enjoying a career best 27th finish at the British Open in 2004.

“I’ve been doing well since my son Zoravar was born (earlier this year). I’ve got more responsibilities but it’s been good,” said Randhawa, Asia’s number one in 2002.

“I’ve gotten used to different playing conditions in Europe and I’ve found my comfort zone. I’m waiting for a win (in Europe). I hope it happens soon,” added the Indian.

Singh, winner of four titles around the globe last season, will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the cut at the British Open in Carnoustie when he tees up alongside the world’s best players this week.

The Indian strongman enjoyed a strong debut at the US Masters in April, finishing tied 37th before improving by one rung at the US Open. While he is yearning for a much needed break after playing in successive tournaments during a two-month stretch, Singh is ready to push his body for at least one more week.

“I’m always excited about the Majors. I want to treat it as any other tournament but it’s tough to do that,” said Singh.

“I’m getting some minor injuries due to playing too much and I’m going to try and work on getting better. I need rest and I need to play less I guess,” he added.

Thongchai is a two-time Asian Tour number one but he has endured a relatively quiet summer. A return to Southern Hills however will spark some good memories as he played in all four rounds at the venue when it hosted the US Open in 2001.

The former paratrooper enjoyed a strong first half of the season with seven top-25s, including a tied eighth at the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth but he has missed his share of putts to slip out of the top-100 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

All eyes will also be on Liang, who currently leads the UBS Order of Merit after one win and six other top-10s on the Asian Tour. The tenacious Chinese played at last week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational which was the perfect tune-up for the PGA Championship.

August 7, 2007

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