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Ben Leong goes for fourth straight win in Brunei

After winning three straight tournaments on home soil, Malaysia’s rising star Ben Leong will be targeting a first international victory when he competes in next week’s Brunei Open.

The 22-year-old is enjoying a purple patch, winning two Malaysian events before going on to post a maiden Asian Tour victory at the Worldwide Selangor Masters last week where he outdueled two-time number one Thongchai Jaidee in the final round.

Leong will no doubt be the hot favourite to succeed again in the US$300,000 Asian Tour tournament at Empire Hotel and Country Club from August 21 to 24.

“I’ll definitely aim for four wins in a row,” said the talented Malaysian.

“We’ll see how it goes. I’ve been taking it slow this week and have been doing what I always do which is practice and practice. Brunei is only 20 minutes by flight from Kota Kinabalu (his hometown) so it’ll be just like home.”

Since turning professional in 2006, Leong has been earmarked for success after enjoying a highly successful amateur career which was highlighted by his victories in the Putra Cup, the region’s foremost amateur competition.

He immediately made his mark by winning the Asian Tour Qualifying School the week after relinquishing his amateur status but failed to finish in the top-60 of the Tour’s Order of Merit which meant a return to the Qualifying School again in 2007 which he again topped the class.

“I’m looking forward to the Brunei Open. It’s a great golf course, the hotel is good and the conditions for play are always excellent. I’ll be expecting some low scores next week,” said Leong.

His victory in Malaysia was truly impressive. After taking the third round lead, he bravely held off Thongchai’s challenge to record an emotional triumph and later paid tribute to his father N.C. Leong.

“He gave up a lot for me. I started at 12 and he pretty much sacrificed his work to travel with me for competitions. He’s been there for me. He’s been my caddie, mentor, coach, it’s like 10-in-one. He’s very committed to me. I’m very proud to have a dad like that,” said Leong.

Leong will not be the only Malaysian heading to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Empire course in buoyant mood.

Danny Chia, who jointly holds the Empire course record of eight-under-par 63 which he set in 2005, enjoyed a tied fourth finish at the Selangor Masters where he charged up the leaderboard with a final round 66.

“Finally, I putted well. I had a tip from my friend before I headed out and he told me to simply slow down my putting stroke and it helped. I didn’t miss anything from four or five feet,” said Chia, who played in the British Open last month.

“I’ve been quite positive about my game this year. I’ve been working on a few things and it’s paying off. Right now, my focus is to get more consistency.”

With Leong hogging all the attention, Chia, who finished runner-up at the Philippine Open earlier this year, is also hoping to return to winning ways following his lone victory at the 2002 Taiwan Open.

“Brunei is one of my favourite golf courses. I’m looking forward to it. It’s designed by Nicklaus and conditions are pure there. The greens and fairways are good and it’s a course where you can predict what you are going to shoot if you’re hitting the ball well. It’s a fair golf course and everyone loves to play there,” said Chia.

August 14, 2008