MERCURIES TAIWAN MASTERS RELATED STORIES Mercuries Taiwan Masters home page Mercuries Taiwan Masters Preview Round 1: Local amateur Chen is surprise leader Round 2: Oh has Clubhouse lead as play suspended Round 2 final: Oh leads by four at halfway Round 3: Oh's even par keeps 1-shot lead Round 4: Lu claims his third Taiwan Masters Final Scores & Prize Money About the Tamsui course at Taiwan G&CC Five to watch this week 2006 flashback: Gaurav Ghei is Taiwan Master Strong local challenge for Mercuries Taiwan Masters UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit after the Midea China Classic ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

 Event Preview - Chowrasia confident on return to tough Tamsui

India’s S.S.P Chowrasia has put the past behind him as he gears up for a maiden triumph at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters which tees off on Thursday.

Chowrasia had taken a five stroke lead at the halfway stage in last year’s tournament but it was realised that he had not signed the scorecard and was later disqualified. It was a bitter lesson for the 29-year-old Indian who will return this week with a new set of clubs hoping to regain his position at the top of the pack at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from September 20-23.

After claiming his ninth title on the Asian Tour last week, Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant, who is ranked 10th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, will enter this week’s US$500,000 event as one of the leading contenders flanked by compatriot Prayad Marksaeng, Australia’s Scott Hend, defending champion Gaurav Ghei and compatriot Rahil Gangjee, who finished runner-up last year, Korea’s Lee Sung together with former local winners Lu Wei-chih, Yeh Chang-ting and Lin Keng-chi.

The Calcutta-born Chowrasia, playing in his second season on the Asian Tour, believes that the narrow fairways and tricky greens at the par-72 Tamsui Course will play to his advantage in his aim for a breakthrough win.

“It is a relatively short course and I am confident that I will have a strong week. My form has been good and my short game has been spot on so I am eager to deliver here,” said Chowrasia.

With his trusty new putter and set of irons, Chowrasia hopes to be spot on at a course which favours accuracy over distance off the tee.

“My form was not too good the past few months but ever since I changed my irons and putter after the Brunei Open earlier this month, I have been feeling solid about my game. My mental game has improved as a result and I am more confident in my game now.

“I have already put the past behind me in regards to what happened last year. It was something I had to learn and I have already moved on. I’ve come as a stronger person and hope that my short game will steer me clear for a good result,” added Chowrasia.

Thailand’s Thaworn made a return back to the winner’s circle when he triumphed in China for a record ninth Asian Tour title last week. With his magical short game back in full swing, Thaworn is set to continue his dominance on the greens at the challenging Tamsui Course.

“I was not doing too well in many tournaments this year but I am really happy with my run last week. Golf is also about luck. With my short game and luck like how it was last week, I should have a strong chance to stay on top here in Taipei.

“I didn’t compete here last year but I’m confident that my game will take me far this week,” said Thaworn, who produced four top-10 finishes this season including his success last week.

Newcomer Panuwat Muenlek, who is among the top performing rookies this season with three top-10s, will be eager to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Thaworn hoping for a breakthrough in Taipei.

“I was four under after the first round last week and I was in a good position but I faded away because I wasn’t feeling too well. I’m much better now and I’m very comfortable with my game. I can adapt very well to different playing conditions so I’m looking forward to another good finish among the front runners,” said Panuwat.

Defending champion Ghei will be eager to regain his footing after having missed the mark last week. He has been enjoying a consistent ride, making the cut since February this year and chalking up four top-10s that included a win in China in April.

“I can’t really pinpoint what happened last week. Golf is a funny game. Last year in Taipei, I just hung in there in the first two rounds but suddenly I just got it off and was on the mark, it’s strange but that’s golf,” said Ghei.

The other Asian stalwarts tipped to make an impression this week are big-hitting Hend, who is ranked second on the UBS Order of Merit and in-form young gun Chinarat Phadungsil, who will be geared to bounce back after his play-off defeat to Thaworn last week.

“I have learnt from it and will move on. I’ve been working hard and I will try my best for a win again this week,” said Chinarat.

September 19, 2007