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Hie joins pro ranks in time for home debut

Local hotshot Rory Hidayat Hie has joined the professional ranks in the hopes of a top finish at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational with main sponsor Qatar Telecom which starts on Thursday.

Hie was the seventh ranked amateur in the world before deciding to turn professional at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club today.

Rory Hidayat Hie (left) holding the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational trophy

The 19-year-old golfer will lead an array of local players at the US$400,000 event alongside Asian Tour stars such as Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, defending champion Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, big hitting Australian Scott Hend and compatriot Rick Kulacz, who won the Brunei Open on Sunday, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who finished runner-up last year, Malaysia’s Ben Leong and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang.

Having enjoyed a successful amateur career with four amateur wins in United States, Hie is eager for a memorable birthday present in his maiden Asian Tour appearance this week.

“I’ve decided to turn professional today because I believe I am ready to compete against the professional players. I’ve played in only one other professional event before this in United States but I hope to focus my game in Asia now. I know I have the ability to compete against the best players here. My birthday is coming up on September 1st and it would be a great present too,” said Hie, who was studying at the University of Southern California for the past two years before deciding to shift his focus to Asia.

“I’m coming in here in good form. In an amateur event in Atlanta last month, I fired six straight birdies which won me the tournament. It was one of my highlights so far. I’ve also lost out in a play off to Anthony Kim in an amateur event in 2006 but I believe this week is different as everyone has an equal opportunity to win.

“I would like to join the Asian Tour and compete in future events so this week will be crucial for me. I aim to finish in the top-10 and strive for a win if possible,” said Hie.

Hie picked up the game at the age of five before heading to United States where he joined the local junior circuit.

“I won the High School State Championship and the Regional High School Championship in California in 2006 and became the second player after Tiger Woods to win both titles in the same year. But it’s a nice feeling to be back to my home country now. I like the conditions in Jakarta and adapt well so it’s going to be exciting,” he added.

Backed by his solid iron game, former Asian Tour number one Thaworn will adopt a cautious approach to his goal of a second success this season.

“The speedy greens and thick rough coupled with the windy conditions will make it a real test. If I can stay away from trouble, I should be able to finish strongly. I’ve enjoyed good form and look forward to winning again.

“The last time I played here, I finished even-par after four rounds which shows the tough conditions here. The wind is much stronger now so shooting anything under par would be a good score,” said Thaworn, who claimed his 10th Asian Tour title at the Bangkok Airways Open in June.

Australia’s Hend, who posted his third top-10 finish at the Brunei Open last week, is pleased with his form this season.

“I am getting back to where I want to be with top 10-finishes this season. But I will be conservative here with the fairways narrowing up and the lightning quick greens. If I play solid I might even win it. It’s nice to get back in the thick of things and actually aim for strong results,” said the former US PGA Tour player.

Pertamina returns as the title sponsor of the Asian Tour event for the second straight year with Qatar Telecom being a main sponsor. The event’s co-sponsors include Commonwealth Bank, Indosat and partnered by Bormindo, Corum, Evian, Damai Indah Golf, The Flag Golf Magazine/Kariza, Golf Digest Indonesia, Heineken, Le Meridian Hotel, MNK, Prestige, PGN, Pin High, Samsung and Srixon.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Indonesian PGA (PGPI) and organised by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

August 27, 2008