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Adam Scott set for Sentosa challenge
World number seven Adam Scott has his sights firmly on the US$2 million Singapore Open which begins at the magnificent Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course on Thursday.
Fresh from a two-week break in Brisbane, the supremely talented Australian hopes to add the prestigious Singapore Open title, which he described as the "Major of Asia", to his impressive resume.
"It's very important. Like any national Open, it's the biggest event in the country and it's great to see the Singapore Open with such a strong field and with a big prize fund. It's almost a Major of Asia, so to speak. It'll be a real honour to win the Singapore Open," said the 25-year-old.
Making a welcome return after a three-year break, the Singapore Open, which is a full-field Asian Tour event, will parade an array of Asian stars, including former number ones Thongchai Jaidee, Jyoti Randhawa and current Order of Merit leader Thaworn Wiratchant.
Europe's Ryder Cup hero Lee Westwood, a prolific performer in Asia, and Aussies Craig Parry and Nick O'Hern are expected to challenge as well in what is Asia's richest national Open.
With two titles in the bag this season and being the highest world-ranked player at Sentosa, Scott will be the man to beat. He enjoyed a welcome break in his hometown of Brisbane, surfing and playing tennis. "I've stayed active, to keep fit really. I'm in a good frame of mind. I played golf pretty much every day at home. I've had a couple of wins this year which is great but I haven't been able to get the most out of my game for the last two months, from the US Open (in June) till now.
"I was playing well but didn't really score as well as I could have. That was frustrating and that's why I decided to go home to relax and just get my head back into the game and have a really good end of the year. It's a good field here. Obviously Lee, Nick and Craig are here and the good Asian players are here as well," said Scott.
He has tipped last season's Asian Tour number one Thongchai of Thailand to sparkle in Sentosa. "I've got to know Thongchai pretty well and I've played a lot of golf with him. I have a lot of respect for his game and his record over here is outstanding. Certainly a lot of guys to worry about this week," said Scott.
Westwood has tasted success in Japan, Macau and Malaysia previously and is looking to add Singapore to his impressive collection of titles. "The Singapore Open is the flagship event of the Asian Tour, it is a massive event and it is being played in a great place. I love coming here and it is good to be back," said Westwood.
"My game is in fairly good shape. I played okay in the United States for three weeks until recently and then had a week off - I am fresh and ready to play this week."
With a winner's cheque of US$315,000 up for grabs at the par-71 Serapong course, organisers have succeeded in creating a major feel where the fairways have been narrowed to an average of 27 yards and the rough left to grow to punishing heights.
Nine of the top-10 players of the Asian Tour Order of Merit are in this week's field, led by Thaworn. The Thai, the last man to win the Singapore Open in 2001 when it was last staged, is leading the money list with US$334,113 and has been paired with Scott and Singapore's leading hope, Mardan Mamat, for the opening two rounds.
"It's a good draw but my first target will be to make the halfway cut. The course is playing really tough with the rough being up. It's a certain bogey or double bogey if you miss the fairway or green," he said.
"My game feels good after finishing in the top-10 last week and it'll be a good week. It's great to see the Singapore Open back with a US$2 million purse and the important thing will be to maintain the level of this event in the coming years. It does feel like an Asian Major."
Singapore's Mardan is hoping to translate three previous top-10s in the Open into a home victory. "My main aim in the first round will be to enjoy the occasion and try my hardest," said Mardan, who finished eighth in 1999, seventh in 2000 and tied 10th in the 2001 edition.
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