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Q-school graduates line up for Asian Tour International

Japan’s Daisuke Maruyama will lead a group of eager Qualifying School graduates when the 2009 season tees off at the Asian Tour International next week.

Maruyama, a former US PGA Tour player, won the Asian Tour Qualifying School two weeks ago when he defeated England’s Ally Mellor in play-off and he will be looking to ride on his form at Suwan Golf and Country Club from February 5 to 8.

Newcomer Mellor will be looking to bounce back from his play-off loss and will be joined by compatriot John Parry, the 2007 World Amateur number seven, Australia’s 2008 amateur number one Matthew Griffin and upcoming local golfer Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who is a two-time World Junior Champion.

Indonesia’s highly rated Rory Hie and Bangladeshi Mohammad Siddikur Rahman, who both became the first players from their respective countries to earn Tour, will also join the fray in Bangkok.

The graduates will face an uphill task as they will line-up against a top Asian Tour field which includes local favourites Thaworn Wiratchant, Boonchu Ruangkit and Prayad Marksaeng, defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei and last season’s winners Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, who won the Volvo Masters of Asia, Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, Malaysia’s Ben Leong and Filipino Angelo Que.

After meeting his objective of earning his Tour card, Maruyama, a one-time winner on the Asian Tour, is now looking to re-establish himself in the region.

“I was very happy with the result at Qualifying School. It put me in the right frame of mind heading into the Asian Tour International. I believe I have a strong chance when I compete in the season-opening tournament,” said Maruyama, who has five top-10 finishes on the US PGA Tour.

Mellor will be looking to get his year off on a strong note. “I am very pleased with my performance at Qualifying School and there is much to look forward to. I hope to have a strong start,” said Mellor, who turned professional in 2004.

Thailand’s Kiradech is determined to impress in front of his home fans when he competes in the US$300,000 Asian Tour International.

“It was a great experience for me and I hope to have a good result again on home soil at the Asian Tour International. There will be a very strong field but I hope to do my best,” said Kiradech, who finished in the top-10 at Qualifying School.

Australia’s Griffin, who also ended his Qualifying School campaign in the top-10, will be hoping to build on his strong amateur record. “There was a strong field at Qualifying School and I expect a tough challenge at the Asian Tour International. It’s been good for me and I hope to have another great week when the season starts,” said Griffin, who was Australia’s top ranked amateur in 2008.

The Suwan Golf and Country Club will be the perfect platform to tee off the 2009 season with its 18-hole championship course offering a hilly layout and sloping greens. The Suwan Golf and Country Club is located 45 minutes away from Bangkok.

January 28, 2009