Queenstown, New Zealand, March 3: Australia’s Terry Pilkadaris, a three-time Asian Tour winner, fired a sparkling nine-under-par 62 to establish a commanding five-shot lead going into the final round of the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open on Saturday. 

Despite experiencing stomach discomfort and vomiting on the 11th hole, Pilkadaris proved he could still play good golf when he stormed ahead with four birdies in his last six holes to compile a three-day total of 24-under-par 190 at the Millbrook Resort.

Australia’s Callan O’Reilly continued to take second place when he returned with 66 while compatriot Daniel Nisbet slipped to third place following a 67.

First round co-leader and Asian Tour member Jarin Todd of the United States posted a 65 for a share of fourth place, a shot ahead of countryman Berry Henson, who continues to impress with his comeback from injury.

Henson, who was recently named as the ambassador for Habitat for Humanity, Asian Tour’s official sustainable development partner, believes the contest is far from over despite carding a 66 to stay eight shots back of Pilkadaris in tied-seventh place.

American Paul Peterson and Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao are the other notable Asian Tour members with encouraging rounds of 65 which placed them in tied-12th and tied-22nd place respectively.

Ends.

Did you know?

• Hailing from Melbourne, Terry Pilkadaris has never won in Australia and said he did not touch his clubs for 11 days before this week as he needed to recharge.
• Pilkadaris’ last win on the Asian Tour came at the Brunei Open in 2005.
• Jarin Todd posted two top-10s at the Shinhan Donghae Open and Resorts World Manila Masters in 2017. He ended the year in 49th place on the Order of Merit.
• Todd went to the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2014, 2015 and 2017. He finished inside the top-40 twice in 2014 and 2017.
• Berry Henson’s serious wrist injuries caused him to stay out of competitive golf for 18 months.
• Henson made his impressive comeback with three top-10s in four starts on the Asian Tour this year.
• The American’s last victory on the Asian Tour was in the Philippines in 2011.
• Paul Peterson’s breakthrough on the Asian Tour came in Myanmar in January when he won the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open by two shots.
• Hung Chien-yao won on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2013 when he lifted the Chang Hwa Open on home soil.
• He turned professional in 2012 and earned his full playing rights in 2015 with a solid 2014 campaign where he did not miss a single cut.
• Hung enjoyed four top-10s in 2017 which included a third place finish at the Queens Cup in Thailand.

April 3: Scott Hend of Australia broke into top-200 on the Official World Golf Ranking following his victory at the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT, which offered the highest world ranking points in Asia on Sunday.
Hend secured his third Asian Tour title at the inaugural US$750,000 event and moved up 86 ranks to 181st in the world after notching 16 world ranking points for his victory.
Asian Tour rookie Bryce Easton of South Africa, who finished second at the Chiangmai Golf Classic, which was his first ever Asian Tour event, notched 9.60 points and is currently ranked 317th in the world.
Meanwhile Hu Mu of China ranks 475th in the world, 200 spots better than his previous ranking, courtesy of a fourth place result at the Chiangmai Golf Classic.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, is currently the highest ranked Asian Tour member in 59th position followed by Marcus Fraser (64th), Thaworn Wiratchant (81st), K.J. Choi (83rd), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (85th) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (89th).

Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) Third round nine-under-par 62, Total 190 (-24)

That was an unbelievable round and I’m like wow! It’s one of those rounds when you can do no wrong. It really depends on the weather tomorrow. If it’s benign conditions like today again, someone’s going to shoot low and you got to be really aggressive. I just didn’t make any mistakes today. I missed one green on the fifth but I chipped it in. I was never really in trouble today and kept giving myself chances and made some putts. There’s still lots of golf left and I’m not going to take anything for granted. I’m just go about doing my own business and make as many birdies as I can. I got to the 11th and felt unwell. After I hit my tee shot on the 13th I had to visit the house by the tee and ask the people to use their toilet. I thanked them for their hospitality and they said I was not the first. It was the same after the 14th and I had to swing it easy towards the end. The Tour gave me some tablets to settle things down.

Jarin Todd (Usa) Third round Six-under-par 65, Total 197 (-17)

Looks like it’s going to be tough to catch Terry but I’ve shot two low scores on this course already, so I feel I can do it again. It really depends on how they are going to set up the course for tomorrow. The pin positions might be tougher. I’m hitting the ball really good and if I can make some putts, I have a good chance of finishing well.

Berry Henson (Usa) Third round Five-under-par 66, Total 198 (-16)

My game’s fantastic and I’ve been playing great. I only hit one bad shot all week and I ended up making par with a loose seven-iron. But other than that, I’ve been kind of cruising and pretty relaxed. I haven’t really got red-hot yet but I’ve been playing really consistent golf and I’ve only made three bogeys all week. So I’m pretty happy. I still feel like there’s a chance tomorrow. If you don’t get off to a quick start on this course, it can be kind of easy to make pars. So if someone can get off to a quick start and put some pressure on Terry tomorrow, I don’t feel like the tournament’s over yet.

Paul Peterson (Usa) Third round Five-under-par 66, Total 199 (-15)

I’m pleased with how I’ve played so far. I felt I left a couple of shot out there on the greens but this being my first time here takes some adaption and getting used to. I feel like I’m hitting the ball well and hopefully tomorrow will be the kind of a day where the holes open up for us. Six, five or four-under is not terrible but as far as scoring goes, I need to go really low tomorrow to catch the leaders

Hung Chien-yao (Tpe) Third round Five-under-par 66, Total 201 (-13)

Just being here in Queenstown is already a big satisfaction. And it’s getting better especially with my performance after three days. I’m happy to be in the position where I’m in now and I’m playing without much expectations for tomorrow. I just want to soak in the atmosphere, enjoy the scenery and the golf will take care of itself. My girlfriend is here with me this week and she has been a great encouragement. She has been walking the course everyday and that helps with the motivation too.

The third edition of the US$300,000 Panasonic Open India makes its return to the Delhi Golf Club and promises to showcase the best players from the Asian Tour. We check out the likely contenders this week.
Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind)
Singh is India’s most successful golfer and is a two-time Asian Tour number one. Long regarded as the flag bearer for Indian golf, Singh has won six times on the Asian Tour and multiple times on the Japan and European Tours, including last year’s Scottish Open. His two Order of Merit triumphs came in 2006 and 2008 on the Asian Tour. He has finished second a few times at Delhi Golf Club and will be looking for his first win
Anirban Lahiri (Ind)
The Panasonic Open India was where Lahiri earned his career breakthrough at the inaugural edition in 2011. The Delhi Golf Club was once regarded as a bane for Lahiri but he showed that he has truly conquered his demons by winning all three of his Asian Tour titles at the venerable course. Lahiri has been regarded as the next generation of players from India to lead golf in the country to greater heights and he is one to look out for this week.
Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind)
Bhullar is a four-time Asian Tour winner and his rise to the top has been rapid. He won twice last season and held his won by finishing second against a stellar field on home soil a fortnight ago. Bhullar’s career has been on an upswing since he made his debut on the Asian Tour in 2007. Look out for the talented Indian as he’s definitely hungry for more success on the region’s premier Tour.
Oliver Wilson (Eng)
The Englishman has finished second nine times on the European Tour and reached the pinnacle when he represented Europe at the 2008 Ryder Cup, coming from four down to defeat Anthony Kim and Phil Mickelson 2 and 1 in the second day foursomes alongside partner Henrik Stenson. Wilson came close to winning in Asia when he finished second behind Spain’s Sergio Garcia at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai in 2009 and is ready to test himself against the best players from the region’s premier Tour, which is celebrating its 10th season in 2013.

New Delhi, April 2: Home favourites Anirban Lahiri and Digvijay Singh return to the scene of their famous victories determined to follow-up on their successes when the US$300,000 Panasonic Open India gets underway at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.
The Panasonic Open India was where Lahiri and Singh earned their career breakthroughs with Lahiri winning his maiden title at the inaugural edition in 2011 and Singh emerging victorious last year.
The Delhi Golf Club was once regarded as a bane for Lahiri but he showed that he has truly conquered his demons by winning all three of his Asian Tour titles at the venerable course.
“Obviously playing at Delhi Golf Club is special to me as I’ve won thrice here. This is my fifth tournament in a row and my match fitness is there. Physically and mentally I’m ready,” said the 25-year-old.
While meditation has also proven to be the perfect tonic for Lahiri to stay calm and focussed, the Indian also knows that accuracy rather than distance holds the key when taming the course.
“I’ve got more and more comfortable on this golf course and I seemed to have found my way around here. My Vipassna training has definitely helped me to stay focused but the key is also to stay out of the bushes and hit it onto the fairways at this golf course,” said Lahiri.

Since making his debut on the Asian Tour in 2008, Lahiri has been regarded as the next generation of players from India to lead golf in the country to greater heights.
His performances on the region’s premier Tour have since attracted much attention from fans and sponsors including Panasonic which is the title sponsor for this week’s full field Asian Tour event.
“Panasonic is one of my sponsors and it’ll be great if I can put up a strong performance that matches the support that they’ve shown me,” said Lahiri.
Meanwhile Singh is looking forward to continue his winning run in a tournament which has rejuvenated his career.
Having gone without a win in the last 12 years since making his Tour debut, Singh was in total control of his game last year, especially with his putting where he needed only 1.47 putts per green in regulation, ranking him first in the category then.
“This golf course has been really kind to me and I really hope that it’ll be even kinder this week. I know this golf course well enough. The way I played those last six holes was an injection of confidence last year and I would like to replicate the same feeling again,” said Singh.
“I played four solid rounds of golf in Chiangmai last week. Consistency was what I was looking for then and it’s exactly what I’m looking for again this week,” added the 41-year-old.
An adrenaline junkie where he often finds his thrills through adventure sports such as biking and skydiving, Singh is ready to face the stiff challenge from the strong field that features no fewer than 14 tournament winners who have a total of over 30 titles between themselves.
Players from over 19 nations are represented in the Panasonic Open India, making it a truly cosmopolitan field.

“Once you’ve jumped off a plane, you don’t feel any pressure especially when you’re standing on the first tee on the last round and in the last group. That really sounds, looks and feels a lot easier!” exclaimed Singh.
The top-three players at the Panasonic Open India will be extended invitations to the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, in Osaka, Japan in September.
The Panasonic Open India will be beamed live throughout four days on the Asian Tour Media’s global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.
About the Panasonic Open India 2013
The Panasonic Open India, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will return for its third edition from April 4 to April 7. Local hero Digvijay Singh will defend the title at the US$300,000 event held at the Delhi Golf Club. The Asian Tour event will be title sponsored by Panasonic India Pte Ltd and supported by Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism and the Government of India. The Tournament will be played once again at the Host Venue Delhi Golf Club. Other sponsors include. Homestead (Platinum Sponsor) Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla (Official Hotel), Bentbrass (Official Apparel), Srixon (Official Ball), 4moles.com (Digital Media sponsor), GolfPlus Monthly (Magazine sponsor) and Inetol Headwear.
The tournament is organized and promoted by the Asian Tour. Get the latest news and tournament information on www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com and www.4moles.com. You can also follow us on www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf and www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf
About Panasonic India
Panasonic makes available in India its wide range of consumer electronics and home appliances like LCD & Plasma TVs, DVD players, home theatre systems, cameras, camcorders, car audio systems, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, automatic cookers, vacuum cleaners and the like. The Company has a workforce of about 12,650 in India and estimated to do a turnover of Rs 10,000 crore in FY 2012. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand in India, please visit http://panasonic.co.in.
About the Asian Tour
In 2013, the Asian Tour will celebrate a momentous milestone with its 10th season. As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), BlackBerry (Official Communications Partner), Canon (Official Imaging Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Saxo Capital Markets (Official Statistics Partner), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us at www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf

Manila, March 2013: Solaire Resort and Casino, the Philippines’ premier integrated destination resort, will title sponsor a new Asian Tour Golf tournament next week as the region’s premier Tour continues to expand across Asia.
The inaugural Solaire Open will be played at the prestigious Wack Wack Golf Club from April 11 to 14, with top stars from the Philippines challenging the leading players from the Asian Tour in the US$300,000 event.
Solaire Resort and Casino chairman and president, Enrique K. Razon Jr., said: “This is a very exciting venture for Solaire Resort and Casino, and we look forward to a successful inaugural Solaire Open in April.”
It will be one of two new events to be featured on the 2013 Asian Tour schedule during the first half of the season following the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT. The Asian Tour is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.
The full-field Asian Tour event is expected to attract a strong cast of Asian Tour champions including Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol and Singaporean Mardan Mamat and local heroes Frankie Minoza, Angelo Que, Antonio Lascuna and Miguel Tabuena.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han expressed his gratitude to Solaire Resort and Casino for its support. Han believes professional golf in the Philippines will continue to flourish with continued backing from Corporate Philippines.
“On behalf of the Asian Tour, I would like to thank Mr. Razon and Solaire Resort and Casino for the wonderful sponsorship and commitment towards the betterment of professional golf in the Philippines,” said Han.

“We are delighted to forge a partnership with the Asian Tour which continues to lead the development of professional golf in the Philippines and across Asia. It is also our vision to support professional golf at the highest level in Asia, and we will put in every effort to make it a successful tournament that the Philippines can be proud of,” said Razon, Jr.
Over the past nine seasons, Que, Minoza, Artemio Murakami and Juvic Pagunsan have notched a combined total of six Asian Tour victories while Pagunsan became the first Filipino to win the Order of Merit following a stand-out year in 2011.
Additionally, Jay Bayron has also achieved success on the Asian Development Tour, the region’s feeder circuit run by the Asian Tour, where he emerged as the Order of Merit champion last year.
“Golf is one of the fastest growing sports in the Philippines and the Asian Tour is delighted to be a part of the inaugural Solaire Open, which we are confident will become the premier golf tournament in the Philippines,” Han continued.
“Over the past decade, Filipino golfers have enjoyed many achievements on the Asian Tour, which has provided the platform for them to perform and enhance their playing careers through a sustainable and year-long schedule,” Han said.
“I am confident the Solaire Open will provide further impetus for the younger generation of Filipinos to pick up the game and subsequently emulate local heroes such as Frankie Minoza, Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que and Antonio Lascuna,” added Han.
“Solaire Resort and Casino is master planned and designed to become a leading destination in Asia and, through the staging of an international tournament on the Asian Tour, the Solaire Open will certainly promote our resort and country across the world through vast television and media exposure,” added Mr. Razon.
Media Contacts:
Joy Wassmer
Director of Communications and Public Relations
Solaire Resort & Casino
Telephone Number: + 63 2 548 4024
Mobile Number: +63 999 886 1698
email: [email protected]
About Solaire Resort and Casino
Solaire Resort and Casino is the first to open in the highly anticipated Entertainment City project along the Philippine’s famed Manila Bay.
The first phase includes approximately 500 luxuriously appointed rooms, suites and bayside villas as well as resort-style pool facilities, bars and entertainment lounges. In addition, there is a state-of-the-art ballroom and meeting space, and a fully equipped spa and fitness center.
The resort also features a world-class dining experience at our signature, casual and quick serve restaurants. The new dining avenues are headed by world-renowned chefs and showcase a comprehensive selection of authentic local and international flavors to cater to even the most discerning palate.
And to give you the ultimate Las Vegas gaming experience, Solaire’s expansive 18,500 square-meter casino area stretches two levels of gaming space, including premium VIP salons and an outdoor themed casino and entertainment bar – all loaded with the most popular slot machines and table games, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Pontoon and many more!
About the Solaire Open
The Solaire Open is a new event on the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule. It is title sponsored by the Solaire Resort and Casino and supported by DOT (Department of Tourism), Hyundai, the Official Mobility, Pru Life UK, the Official Insurer, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, the Official Coffee and Omega, the Official Timekeeper. The suppliers for the event include Holiday Inn Manila Galleria, the Official Hotel, Johnnie Walker, the Official Whiskey, Asahi Super Dry, the Official Beer, Srixon, the Official Ball, Panasonic, the Official Television Provider, Canon, the Office Solutions Provider and PepsiCo, the Official Water and Sports Drinks.
About the Asian Tour
In 2013, the Asian Tour will celebrate a momentous milestone with its 10th season. As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), BlackBerry (Official Communications Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us at www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf

Mexico City, March 2: For the second straight day, Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat’s putter misbehaved.

Two three-putt bogeys over his closing three holes left him with a disappointing level par 71 in the third round of the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship on Saturday, putting him six shots back of leader Shubhankar Sharma of India.

Big-hitting Kiradech started the round trailing by four but on golf’s ‘Moving Day’, he moved backwards with 10 straight pars before making his first birdie on 11 from seven feet. After picking up another bidie on 15, his good work came undone with bogeys on 16 and 18 as he slipped to tied 11th position.

“Just my putting … my putting was terrible,” rued Kiradech. “I got two bogeys with three putts and I missed many short putts. It is really disappointing with the way I’m playing. It is difficult when you can’t make a putt. It’s really difficult and I’m not good with the speed today, even this week. Many putts that should drop from inside six, seven feet didn’t drop.”

The Thai, the Asian Tour No. 1 in 2013, is still not discounting a title challenge on Sunday and is hoping for his flat stick to finally cooperate. “I’ll still play the same game but hopefully the putts drop tomorrow, same as the first round. I’m going to hit some putts now, roll some balls and get a new feel.”

If Kiradech cannot produce the comeback on Sunday, he will be rooting for third round leader Sharma, who takes a two-shot lead over a star-studded field in the US$10 million showpiece.

“He shows that all Asian players are strong. I think he’s one of the best players in Asia at the moment with two wins this season and he showed you can be at the top after three days in the World Golf Championships, which has surprised everyone.

“I’m sure all the spectators, less than 10 percent, know who Shubhankar is. And three days he has shown that our Asian players are much stronger than they used to be. It won’t surprise me if he is going to win tomorrow. He’s got a bright future, a lot of majors coming up.”

Ends.

Singapore, April 1: It may be April’s Fool day but it’s not a joke when Australia’s Scott Hend said that he was feeling at the top of the world and right at home on the Asian Tour following his third victory on the region’s premier Tour last weekend.
The big-hitting Australian dug deep and launched a spectacular comeback by overcoming a six-shot deficit on the final day to win the Chiangmai Golf Classic.
Hend’s victory was worth US$135,000 and it propelled him to third place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with his season haul of US$207,915.
“This win is fantastic. I played great at Avantha Masters (India) and didn’t finish the job. I missed the cut in Malaysia so to come back and shoot 20-under sort of helps you believe in yourself that you still got the game and can hole the putts,” said the 39-year-old Australian.
With the Asian Tour celebrating its 10th season this year, Hend, who earned his Tour card at Qualifying School in 2006, is indebted to the Tour which has brought his much success.
“The Asian Tour has been a fantastic place for me to be in. This is the Tour in the region and in my eyes it is the only Tour in the region,” said Hend.
“It is a fantastic breeding ground of the young players and the middle aged players such as myself. Everyone wants to come out and forge a good living and play in good tournaments and try to move to the next level. This is a great place to be and a place to play on,” added the Australian.
Having been away since the season-opening event in Myanmar, Hend is now looking forward to a reunion with his family before resuming his search for more glory on the Asian Tour.
“I want to go back to see my two six-year-olds and my wife. I haven’t seen them since January. For the rest of the year hopefully I win another one or two titles on the Asian Tour. I’m trying to qualify for the CIMB and HSBC events so this is a good start for that,” said Hend.
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who finished tied-fifth at the Chiangmai Golf Classic, continues to stay atop the rankings on US$615,535 while India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar is in second place on US$269, 066.
South African newcomer Bryce Easton, playing in his first Asian Tour event, leaped into seventh place following his runner-up finish in Chiangmai.
The Asian Tour will return to India for the third time in two months for the third edition of the US$300,000 Panasonic Open India this week.
Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20
Pos Player Earnings (US$)
1 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $616,535.00
2 Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) $269,066.43
3 Scott HEND (AUS) $207,915.00
4 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $175,909.00
5 BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) $145,303.50
6 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) $83,849.50
7 Bryce EASTON (RSA) $82,500.00
8 Joonas GRANBERG (FIN) $80,812.83
9 Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) $70,971.00
10 KIM Gi-whan (KOR) $60,617.50
11 Mithun PERERA (SRI) $59,227.33
12 Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) $58,305.00
13 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $57,721.25
14 SIDDIKUR (BAN) $57,510.62
15 Berry HENSON (USA) $56,626.50
16 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $55,201.86
17 Himmat RAI (IND) $53,300.00
18 Shiv KAPUR (IND) $50,842.86
19 Rashid KHAN (IND) $49,146.00
20 Jbe KRUGER (RSA) $47,605.00
Ends.
About the Asian Tour
In 2013, the Asian Tour will celebrate a momentous milestone with its 10th season. As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), BlackBerry (Official Communications Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us at www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf.

Mexico City, March 3: Young Indian prospect Shubhankar Sharma will face the most important 18 holes of his golfing life yet on Sunday after he bravely maintained his overnight two-shot lead following the third round of the US$10 million World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship.

The 21-year-old Sharma ground out a two-under 69 which included a clutch 13-foot par save on the 18th hole at the Club de Golf Chapultepec as he held off the likes of Phil Mickelson (65), Tyrrell Hatton (64), Sergio Garcia (69) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (69) on Saturday.

World No. 1 and defending champion Dustin Johnson shot a 68 to share sixth place, three behind Sharma, who was literally taken the world by storm with a measured and composed performance this week.

With so much at stake where a victory over the game’s top stars will be worth US$1.7 million in prize money, an exemption onto the PGA TOUR through the 2020-21 season, 550 FedExCup points and starts in almost every major championship including THE PLAYERS Championship this season, the talented Indian is looking forward to the final round.

“Obviously a dream come true for me to be playing in this tournament and obviously leading, that’s just fantastic.  Really happy with the way I played today, stuck in there. I made a few mistakes on the greens but the greens are tough this week so I think everyone’s making a few mistakes. I wasn’t too hard on myself.  Very, very happy that I could grind out a par on the last hole,” said Sharma, who is making his debut appearance in the World Golf Championships.

Sharma broke through with his maiden victory at the Joburg Open in December and followed up with another triumph at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last month where he came from four shots back to win with a closing 62.

In his biggest test yet, the current No. 1 on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity standings will be grouped with five-time major winner Mickelson and England’s Hatton as he bids to become the youngest player to win a World Golf Championships tournament and only the second Asian after Hideki Matsuyama of Japan to do so.

“It will be a lot of fun,” said Sharma. “Obviously Phil is a legend in the game of golf and I’ve seen him on TV for as many years as I can remember. You know, I met him for the first time today and it’s great that I’m paired with him tomorrow. It will be a lot of fun.”

Sharma has gone about his business in Mexico so quietly that when he sheepishly approached Mickelson, a 42-time PGA TOUR winner, at the practice putting green to introduce himself prior to his third round, the World Golf Hall of Famer initially waved him away thinking he was a journalist.

“To be honest, me and my caddie Baaz (Gurbaaz Mann), we both went up to him. He thought we were media and he said, "Not right now, after the round." Then he just realized and said, "So sorry, I thought you were media," and he said hi, I said hi. Then he made a few putts and he came back to me and said, "Have a good day." It was nice,” recounted Sharma, who turned professional at 16 as his father felt it was the best way to get better at the game.

“I was nervous today as well, but I think that is probably working for me and I think being a little bit anxious and a little bit nervous on the first tee is not too bad sometimes, just keeps you at the job and you try and be as concentrated as possible. That’s what I tried to do.”

When he was younger, Sharma, his father Col Mohan Sharma, who is here this week, and some friends would stay up early into the mornings in India to watch the live telecasts of PGA TOUR tournaments and the majors. “Dad and me are very passionate about it. I remember all the majors pretty much by heart and pretty much all the shots, and I remember Phil winning in 2013 (The Open Championship) and the shot on the 13th was just fabulous,” said Sharma.

“The best I think was when Rory (McIlroy) won the U.S. Open. It went on until 6:00 in the morning back home. I remember I was so inspired that I didn’t sleep, I just went straight to the range and hit balls for two hours. It’s great for kids like me back then. It’s very inspiring to see all these great players and that’s the beauty of the game.”

Asked if he ever envisioned himself holding aloft a major or World Golf Championships trophy, he replied: “Every time, every time watching these majors. It really inspires you, especially watching it at night, it’s a very different atmosphere. Everything is quiet and you see a guy make a putt and you see that roar on it TV, you can’t contain yourself.”

If he keeps making putts and performing the way he has been at the WGC-Mexico Championship, Sharma will be the one inspiring the next generation of Indian and Asian golfers.

Ends.

Bangkok, April 1: The third edition of the prestigious Thailand Golf Championship will be held at the Amata Spring Country Club from December 12-15, 2013 and offer a total prize fund of US$1 million.
The Asian Tour’s full-field tournament has grown rapidly since its inaugural year in 2011, attracting many of golf’s leading names such as Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, , Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke, John Daly, Ryo Ishikawa, Sergio Garcia, Thongchai Jaidee and Nicolas Colsaerts.
Rated as one of the finest championship courses in Asia, Amata Spring has contributed immensely towards the development of professional golf in Thailand and Asia where it has also hosted the Open Championship – International Final Qualifying – Asia, Royal Trophy and World Salute King Bhumibol’s Skins Games which featured world number one Tiger Woods.

Westwood won the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship in majestic style in 2011 when he stormed to a comfortable seven-shot victory after opening his campaign with a stunning 12-under-par 60, which matched the Asian Tour’s 18-hole record.
“It was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” recalled Westwood. “I was just on a roll. I hit a lot of fairways and my putting was good.
“I love Amata Spring as its layout suits my style of play and the greens are fast and firm,” added the Englishman of Amata Spring which has been voted the Best Course on the Asian Tour by the players in 2011 and 2012.
Last December, 2011 Masters Tournament champion Schwartzel romped to a commanding 11-shot victory at the Thailand Golf Championship to end a frustrating 20-month title drought.
The 28-year-old South African completed an imperious start-to-finish victory with a final round 65, which made up for his runner-up finish behind Westwood in 2011. Schwartzel’s winning total of 25-under-par 263 total saw him pick up his first win on the Asian Tour.
“The golf course is always in good shape and it is a good test,” said Schwartzel.
Japanese star Ishikawa had only good words for the impressive Amata Spring course. “I enjoyed playing at Amata Spring and I am always impressed with its world-class layout,” he said.
The Thailand Golf Championship, which aims to develop professional golf within the region and also promote Thailand as a tourism destination, also saw the emergence of local talent Thitiphun Chuayprakong who impressed many during a spell-binding run where he finished tied second with Watson last year.
The prestigious event is also the flagship tournament of the Asian Tour and it received five hours of broadcasts daily throughout all four rounds last year on the Asian Tour’s global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.
The Thailand Golf Championship set a new benchmark for the Asian Tour with more hours of live television broadcast being beamed around the world and fans watching in High Definition (HD) for greater viewing pleasure for the first time at a full-field Asian Tour tournament last year.
Over 900 hours of coverage was seen around the world through renowned broadcasters including Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, The Golf Channel in the United States, Canada and Latin America, Fuji TV in Japan and all over Europe, Australia and Asia.
About the Asian Tour
In 2013, the Asian Tour will celebrate a momentous milestone with its 10th season. As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), BlackBerry (Official Communications Partner), Canon (Official Imaging Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Saxo Capital Markets (Official Statistics Partner), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us at www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf.