Malaysia’s Iain Steel is targeting a breakthrough Asian Tour triumph at next week’s Worldwide Selangor Masters at a venue which has been a happy hunting ground.
The United States-based Steel won his first Malaysian title at Seri Selangor Golf Club two years ago and he is hoping to ride on the good vibes in his chase for more glory in the RM1 million (US$310,000) event.
The Selangor Masters, which will make its debut on the Asian Tour, will be staged from August 6 to 9.
“I am looking forward to the Worldwide Selangor Masters. I competed in it last year, as one of the few professional events that was held in Malaysia outside the Asian Tour but didn’t perform well.
“However, it is a golf course that I like as I won my first event on Malaysian soil as a professional at Seri Selangor in 2006. I hope to regain the same vibes again next week. It will be a great place to kick off the second half of the year and a win will be great for my confidence,” said Steel.
Born to a Scottish father and Malaysian mother, Steel knows that the Seri Selangor course will fit his eye nicely. The course requires accuracy from off the tee and precision iron play, which is very much Steel’s forte.
“It is a narrow course with some tricky pin placements and some crucial holes in which you can make a big number,” said Steel.
He welcomed the Worldwide Selangor Masters onto the Asian Tour Schedule and said it would bring benefits to the local golf scene.
“It opens the door to over 30 Malaysian professionals to play in it and this is a positive sign for the Asian Tour as it shows its willingness to help improve golf wherever it goes,” said Steel.
“The Malaysian players should welcome the event with open arms as they have limited access to events of this calibre in Malaysia. I am confident that those involved and playing in the event will treasure the moment, and build this event into a mainstay on the Asian Tour calendar.”
Steel will have to contend with the likes of Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, who is a former Asian Tour number one, in his quest for victory at Seri Selangor.
“I am glad to see the Asian Tour coming to Malaysia, other than the Malaysian Open and the Qualifying School. Malaysia is starving for golf tournaments and is an ideal place to host many more in the future as the public really needs to see how we can perform on a more regular basis,” said Steel.
The Worldwide Selangor Masters will mark the resumption of the Asian Tour season, which will offer no fewer than 29 tournaments and a record US$38 million in total prize money this season.
Malaysia’s Iain Steel is targeting a breakthrough Asian Tour triumph at next week’s Worldwide Selangor Masters at a venue which has been a happy hunting ground.
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