2007 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational - Event Preview: Westwood in form for first Indonesian outing

Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood hopes to ride on his rich vein of form when he goes title hunting at the inaugural Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Englishman will be the star attraction in this week’s US$350,000 Asian Tour event at Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course and he will be aiming to add to his Asian wins which include triumphs previously in Malaysia, Japan and Macau.

Westwood will face a strong line-up which includes China’s top player Liang Wen-chong, who currently leads the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit race, big-hitting Australian Scott Hend, Thai duo of Chapchai Nirat and Prom Meesawat, Airil Rizman of Malaysia, Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2006 Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year, and Australia’s Brad Kennedy.

“I got in yesterday morning from a flight from Portugal. It was a hectic flight but I am well rested ahead of the challenges this week. I’m looking forward to this event. I’ve had five top-10 finishes in my last six tournaments so I can’t wait to get started here,” said Westwood, who has an impressive haul of 28 international titles and four Ryder Cup wins with Europe.

Competing for the first time in Indonesia, Westwood is confident of leaving his mark and coming out on top at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course this week which he found very much to his liking.

“This is my first visit to Indonesia and it’s a very nice place. I played 18 holes today and it’s a great course. There are a lot of birdie opportunities out there. They key for a low round here is to keep it in play and to hit a lot of greens. If I make the fairways, I can attack the golf course.

“I will have to play four good rounds here. The Asian Tour has been growing stronger and the players are getting better. There is greater strength in depth in Asia now as reflected through Asian players going abroad such as KJ Choi (Choi Kyung-ju), Thongchai (Jaidee) and Jeev (Milkha Singh), which is fantastic for Asian golf,” said Westwood.

Chapchai, who is ranked fourth on the rankings, will be hell-bent on closing the gap on Liang in the UBS Order of Merit race by enjoying a strong week at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational.

The 24-year-old Thai aims to make amends for his disappointing finish at the Hero Honda Indian Open two weeks ago where he fell out of contention on the last day.

“I was nervous playing with Jyoti (Randhawa) in the final day. The spectators were all around in support of their local star and I found it quite intimidating. It affected my game and I lost out.

“But I’ve learnt from that experience and I can handle myself better now. I’ve realised that all I need to do is focus on my game and not be affected by what’s around me. I hope to apply that this week and shoot for a strong result as I want to catch Liang,” said Chapchai, winner of the TCL Classic in March.

Australia’s Hend is also itching for action after spending the past one week recuperating from an arm injury which has seen him string a run of lackluster results.

“I rested my arm the whole of last week after seeking treatment from a specialist. It does not hurt as much now and I’m hoping that things will turn around here,” said Hend.

The Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational is promoted by Ancora Sports which is one of Asia’s newest golf promoters and is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI) and organised by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

October 24, 2007

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