KING'S CUP RELATED STORIES King's Cup home page King's Cup Preview Round 1: Nine birdie Chan grabs a two shot lead Round 1: Purser and Ghei fire 68s in race to keep cards Round 2: Chan keeps slim lead over chasing six-pack Round 2: Shaaban faces anxious wait as he misses cut by one Round 3: Chan eases nearer to maiden title Round 3: Just one more round to keep the card Round 4: Chan claims maiden title in playoff Round 4: Shaaban keeps card as rivals fall away Final Scores & Prize Money About the course Five to watch this week Thongchai targets third title Last chance for Tour card hopefuls Thongchai and Liang to face off again at King's Cup King's Cup goes to Singha Park Khon Kaen King's Cup to debut in December Details of the Singha Park Khon Kaen GC Asian Tour Order of Merit after the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Old Guard Show Form In Philippines Mike Kerr New Asian Tour CEO Nirat Eyes Title In Philippines 2012 Performance Stats Hiratsuka Hopes To Defend In Myanmar Sponsors Show Support For Philippine Open Champions Head To Myanmar 84 Players Make Final Stage

Purser and Ghei fire 68s in race to keep cards

New Zealand’s Mark Purser gave himself some breathing space after opening with a four-under-par 68 at the King’s Cup on Thursday.

Purser, ranked 60th on the Order of Merit, is amongst those fighting hard to preserve their status in the top-65 in what is the Asian Tour’s final event of the season and a six-birdie round at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club eased some of his worries.

India’s Gaurav Ghei, ranked 67th, also shot a 68 while Malaysia’s Shaaban Hussin, who sits on the bubble in 65th place, carded a 70. Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin holds the early lead with a stunning 64, which is effectively a new course record.

“I played well today, especially on the back nine although I left a few out there. But I putted well from 15 to 20 feet so I’m happy with the end result. I just tried to stay relaxed and not be worried with my bad shots which were a few. I didn’t let anything get to me. It gave me a chance to take advantage of my good shots,” said Purser, who is playing in his rookie season in Asia.

The Kiwi said that it would be important to focus on his own game in this make-or-break week. “I can’t control what the others do. I’m just going to do the best that I can. I’ve got a home to go back to. I’m sleeping well and it won’t be the end of the world whatever happens,” he said.

Malaysia’s Shaaban was also delighted with his strong start. Like Purser, he is trying to put the pressure behind him and take it one shot at a time.

“I’m happy with the start. My putting was good and my irons were also solid. There is no pressure. I’m just playing my game. I know that if I play well, the results will come. I’m not putting pressure on myself that I need to finish in the top-65,” said Shaaban, whose runner-up finish in the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open two weeks ago pushed him into the reckoning for a full Tour card.

Australian Mitchell Brown, ranked 68th, was disappointed to settle for a 71 after moving to four under for his round through 12 holes.

“Today was good as I hit a lot of good shots which hasn’t been happening of late. The finishing holes were tough and a lot of the guys would bogey those holes. I was happy to be on four under but to finish on one under I’ll take it. It could have been worse,” said Brown.

He is also not thinking too much into the Merit battle as well. “If I was playing well, I would be thinking about it more. As I’ve not played well all year, I’m not worried about it at all,” he said.

December 3, 2009