India’s Sharma ready for business at WGC-Mexico Championship
Mexico City, February 27: Despite banking close to US$700,000 following two victories since December, India’s Shubhankar Sharma has kept his feet firmly grounded, even if it meant flying halfway around the world on economy class for his maiden World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship this week.
The 21-year-old Indian enters the US$10 million showpiece as the No. 1 ranked golfer on both the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity standings but he is happy to fly under the radar as the game’s elite gathers at Golf Club de Chapultepec.
%2010.jpg)
A year ago, Sharma was waking up in the middle of the night to watch the WGC-Mexico Championship, won by Dustin Johnson, but victories at the Joburg Open and Maybank Championship, both sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, have propelled him into the limelight.
“It’s really exciting to be here. This is the biggest event I’ve ever played in. I’m looking forward to it,” said Sharma, who will play the opening two rounds with Malaysia’s Gavin Green and American Chan Kim.
The son of an Indian army colonel, Sharma has burst onto the scene in quite some style. He won in South Africa with a 23-under winning total which included a 61 in the second round in December and then followed up with a second title in Malaysia after a closing 62 gave him a 21-under winning total.
“I could not have imagined this happening (three months ago). I wouldn’t have imagined myself playing on the European Tour, let alone a WGC event. That’s how the game is. When you play good, anything is possible. You need those small breaks and I got those breaks in Johannesburg and Malaysia. That shows you anything is possible. You just have to keep working hard,” said Sharma.
With full playing status in Europe and Asia, Sharma said he is learning to adapt to being in the company of the game’s marquee names and conceded he was star-struck when he teed up in Abu Dhabi and Dubai earlier this year.
“I’m getting used to it. Seeing Rory (McIlroy), Dustin (Johnson), all these guys in the Middle East, I was a bit star-struck. I’ve got to step it up and play my own game. It’s great to be playing in these events with all these great players. Up to last year, I was watching these players on TV and now playing here this week is a dream come true.”
Despite the new-found fame and heightened media interests, Sharma insisted he was still the same person. And while he has added a few more zeroes into his bank account, he flew into Mexico City from Doha, Qatar on economy class.
“Personally, nothing has changed. I’m the same person. I’m probably getting a bit more attention, getting more interviews. I think it’s great as long as it raises more awareness on golf in India. I’m still trying to be the same person, still trying to be the best that I can be,” said Sharma.
“I probably should fly business class … Maybe the flight back to India, I’ll try to fly business. I flew from Qatar to Dallas and then into Mexico. It was nice. Economy isn’t that bad. You get an aisle seat and it’s perfect,” he insisted.
Ranked 75th in the world, Sharma, who is now the highest ranked Indian in the world, knows a strong week in Mexico could open more doors into the big tournaments on the PGA TOUR. The top-64 will qualify for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play next month while the top-50 will get into the Masters Tournament in April and May’s THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
“There’s a lot at stake but at the same time, I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’ve worked really hard to get to this level and I just want to have fun. To be honest, I know that if I play my best, it is good enough for a win or a top five or top-10. It’s about going out there and shooting some good numbers. Come Sunday, I’ll be happy if have played to my potential. I know that if I can play my best, I’ll be right up there.”
About the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championships
The World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship is regulated and organized by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours and due to its great importance it annually attracts the top golfers from across the globe including those from the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The other World Golf Championships include Dell Technologies Match Play (Austin, Texas, U.S.), Bridgestone Invitational (Akron, Ohio, U.S.) and HSBC Champions (Shanghai, China).
Dustin Johnson of the U.S. will be the defending champion when the Mexico Championship returns with a total purse of USD$10 million to Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City for its second year and as the second of four World Golf Championships of the 2017-18 PGA TOUR Season on February 28 – March 4, 2018.
For more information visit www.wgcmexico.com, as well as the tournament’s social media accounts @WGCMexico (in English with international scope) and @TVAztecaGolf (in Spanish with international and Latin American scopes).
Chiangmai, Thailand, March 29: Young talent Hu Mu hung tough at the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT on Friday, shooting a second round of three-under-par 69 to keep alive his dream of becoming the third Chinese to win on the Asian Tour.
The talented 23-year-old, touted as the next great Chinese hope, produced a strong finish with three birdies in his closing six holes at the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai for a nine-under-par 135 total.
Hu stayed within touching distance of clubhouse leader Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, who added a 67 to his opening 65 for a 132 aggregate in the US$750,000 full-field Asian Tour event which is part of the milestone 10th season celebration in 2013.
However, he was disappointed he failed to shoot a lower round as a cold putter left many of his birdie attempts burning the edges of the holes. “I was very disappointed. I turned a 62 or 63 round into a 69. I didn’t take any chances from the good shots I hit. I wasn’t feeling it out there with my putter,” said Hu, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation this week.
“I want to go work on my putting. I putted well on the first day. It was a disaster when it came to making birdies. I hit my shots close and had five or six birdies chances inside of 10 feet but just didn’t make them. It was a big mistake.”
Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong are the only two golfers from China who have won titles on the Asian Tour, with the latter going a step further by winning the prestigious Order of Merit in 2007 to become China’s first Asian number one.
A good showing will also boost Hu’s 2016 Olympic dream as this week’s Chiangmai Golf Classic offers the most Official World Golf Ranking points in Asia with the winner receiving 16 points.
Hu, who took up membership with the Asian Tour this season, found some comfort through the fact he managed to follow-up on yesterday’s 66 with a solid showing. This season, he has been guilty of throwing away good starts and missed out on his Tour card with a poor final round 78.
“I’ve been in contention on the first day and it is great. I’m getting more used to it. The first few times, you might get a bit excited when you are up on the leaderboard and not get enough sleep. Right now I’m really into it and when I get on the course, I always try to shoot better,” said Hu, who trains under renowned swing guru David Leadbetter.
“I don’t think it is natural for everybody. Some people might get it faster but I’m getting better through every tournament. I slept well last night but it was too early of a wake-up call as I had to get up at 4.30am (for his 7.30am tee time).”
With a star-studded field gathered in the northern city of Chiangmai, which includes Major winners Y.E. Yang of Korea (137), South African Ernie Els, who is still playing his second round at press time, and last week’s winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Hu is hoping to go toe-to-toe with the big boys come Sunday.
“It is very exciting. I’ve been training in the David Leadbetter academy for the last 10 years and he trained Ernie (Els). I had the chance to play a practice round with him at the HSBC Champions in China before. I haven’t seen him this week but I’ll make sure I talk to him. Hopefully I get a final round pairing with him,” said Hu.
The Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT is primed to extensively promote Chiangmai as a top golfing and tourist destination through the four days of live broadcasts on the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.
The Chiangmai Golf Classic is supported by PTT Group Company Limited, one of the largest corporations in Thailand, while other premier sponsors include PTT Public Company Ltd, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Advanced Info Service Plc, Siam Commercial Bank PCL, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Provincial Government of Chiangmai, Chiangmai Provincial Administrative Organisation, CAT Telecom Public Company Ltd, TOT Public Company Ltd, Thai Airways International Public Company Ltd, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Samart I-mobile PCL , Loxley Wireless Co Ltd, Forth Corporation Public Company Ltd, J.R.W Utility Plc, Standard Tour Co Ltd, Advanced Information Technology Public Company Ltd, Fenix Apparel and Accessories Co Ltd and Sports Authority of Thailand.
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 Statistic 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
About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in India, China, Brazil and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com.
Mexico City, February 27: Malaysia’s Gavin Green hopes his “A” game will show up when he makes his debut at the US$10 million World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship which begins on Thursday.
The reigning Asian Tour No. 1 will carry the region’s charge in the year’s first WGC tournament at Club Golf de Chapultepec which will feature 45 of the world’s top-50 players led by world No. 1 and title holder Dustin Johnson and FedExCup No. 1 Justin Thomas.
The 24-year-old Malaysian spent several days sharpening his game with swing coach Chris O’Connell in Dallas last week and will count on experienced caddie Mark Crane to give him an edge in Mexico.
“My result was a little bit on the low side and I wasn’t comfortable with my swing. Thankfully, I had a week off, saw my coach and I’m way more comfortable now which is great. I like feeling like this going into an event,” said Green, who became the first Malaysian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit last season.
“He (O’Connell) sorted me out where I have more of a one-way miss now and not a two-way miss, so that’s huge for me. Being on a course like this, obviously it’s a huge thing because left and right, you have trouble. We’ve straightened things out.”
%2002.jpg)
After finishing tied 38th in his first WGC tournament at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China last October, Green is eager to make progress in his blossoming career. His success in Asia has given him playing rights on the European Tour this year but his goal will be to get onto the PGA TOUR in the near future.
A graduate from University of New Mexico, Green knows he must remain patient in everything that he is doing, including tackling this week’s tree-lined test with precision from off the tee. “I think patience is one thing but I also think experience plays another part. If you’re constantly playing the bigger events, all of a sudden you go to a European Tour event, you feel very much more comfortable. When I was with the Asian Tour, I was like, man, this is a big event. Then I got used to it, and all of a sudden a couple of top fives came, and I calmed down,” said Green.
As much as he is keen to make an impression this week, Green knows he must take it one shot at a time and stick to his game plan. “It’s important that I don’t overdo things just because of the event. I kind of had a little feel about it in China (WGC-HSBC Champions) and obviously in the CJ CUP (in South Korea), they were big events, but you can’t overdo things. I think I’m taking a different approach where I’m just going to go nine, nine, nine, take it easy, do some work on the range, chip and putt,” he said.
His caddie Crane, who has worked with Ryder Cup players Paul Casey and Chris Wood, will be very much counted upon by Green to give him the right yardages at a venue which is some 7,000 feet above sea level, which means the golf ball will travel further here.
“He’s seen how good things can happen and how bad things can happen here. So he knows what are the risks and he knows a little bit about my game and where I should hit it and all that kind of stuff, and what suits me,” he said.
“It’s important for me to listen and trust him because sometimes I look at some holes, I’m like, I think it’s driver, but he says no, it’s a 5 wood or a 2 iron. It’s tough for me to just do that because I’m so tempted to just hit driver. I guess it’s part of experience and just trusting,” said Green.
About the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championships
The World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship is regulated and organized by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours and due to its great importance it annually attracts the top golfers from across the globe including those from the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The other World Golf Championships include Dell Technologies Match Play (Austin, Texas, U.S.), Bridgestone Invitational (Akron, Ohio, U.S.) and HSBC Champions (Shanghai, China).
Dustin Johnson of the U.S. will be the defending champion when the Mexico Championship returns with a total purse of USD$10 million to Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City for its second year and as the second of four World Golf Championships of the 2017-18 PGA TOUR Season on February 28 – March 4, 2018.
For more information visit www.wgcmexico.com, as well as the tournament’s social media accounts @WGCMexico (in English with international scope) and @TVAztecaGolf (in Spanish with international and Latin American scopes).
Chiangmai, Thailand, March 29: Thai veteran Prayad Marksaeng stayed in the hunt to end a six-year title drought on the Asian Tour when he shot a five-under-par 67 for the second round clubhouse lead at the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT on Friday.
The six-time Asian Tour winner, but not since 2007, leads by two shots on 12-under-par 132 from Jonathan Moore of the United States and India’s Digvijay Singh, who returned with 68 and 67 respectively at the remarkable Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai.
China’s Hu Mu, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation, carded a 69 to stay within three shots of the clubhouse leader in fourth place at the US$750,000 full field Asian Tour event.
Jason Knutzon of the United States and the consistent Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka are a further shot back on the region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its 10th season. Y.E. Yang of Korea, Asia’s first Major champion, shot a 68 for tied seventh.
Prayad, who used the cross-handed putting grip which earned him a solid 65 on the first day, is still enjoying some of his best golf at the age of 47 after reverting to a new iron set and golf ball, which are giving him better accuracy and distance.
“I changed to a new golf ball and it seems to be giving me more distance. Last time I hit my driver to about 280 yards but now I’m hitting it about 20 yards longer. I’m getting more distance and that’s good with my age,” said Prayad.
Jonathan Moore
Playing from the back nine, Prayad had to overcome an early bogey on the 11th hole with immensely accurate approach shots which were rewarded with six birdies from inside 10 feet.
“I’m happy with how I played. My game from my driver, irons and putting were very good. I used the cross hand grip today. It seems to be working for me. I’ve been playing very good this year and I hope I can maintain my form,” added the Thai.
Moore, who graduated from the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2011 and kept his Asian Tour cards for 2013, hopes to maintain a carefree attitude as he bids to win his first Asian Tour title.
“A few things I’ve learned over the years, one of them is to send the ball on its way. I can’t make it go to a particular spot. Just envision that all I’m going to do is to hit it into the ocean instead of a small fairway. Just make that free swing and hit it into a big wide ocean. I think that’s helped a bit,” said Moore.
Ends.
Queenstown, New Zealand, February 28: Korea’s K.J. Choi returns to New Zealand for the first time in 23 years, ready to show how far he has come when he steps up to the tee at the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open which starts on Thursday.
Choi first visited New Zealand as an aspiring 24-year-old professional attending a golf winter training camp in the country then. Almost two decades later, the 47-year-old, who once reached a career high of fifth place on the Official World Golf Ranking in 2008, is arguably one of highest profile players to compete at Millbrook Resort & the Hills this week.
The Korean acknowledged the expectations of the fans and is looking forward to putting up a performance befitting of his reputation as one of the most successful golfers to come out of Asia.
Defending champion Michael Hendry also makes his return to familiar winning ground having made history by becoming the first New Zealander in 14 years to win his National open last year.
While he only has one top-10 finish to show for this year, Hendry believes he will have the form to contend at the highest level when the tournament tees off tomorrow.
Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas, who topped the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit in 2017, is excited with his first start at the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open after a fantastic ADT season on the Tour’s secondary circuit which has presented him with numerous playing opportunities this year.
Did you know?
- K.J. Choi grew up in a farming family on the island of Wando, off the southern coast of Korea and was a powerlifter at his local high school.
- In his early golfing years, Choi would take a two-hour bus ride at 5am each morning to the golf course where he would practise until dark and then return home.
- Choi’s first professional win came two years after he turned professional when he won the Korean Open in 1996.
- Choi became the first Korean to earn a PGA Tour card in 2000 and went on to record eight wins there including the Players Championship in 2011.
- He credits Jack Nicklaus for playing an influential role in his career. He said reading Nickaus’ book, "Golf My Way" book early in his golf career assisted him in becoming the golfer he is today.
- He founded the K.J. Choi Foundation in 2007 with the mission of helping Korean children and communities, but his reach has extended to global aid for hurricane and tsunami victims today.
- Michael Hendry became the first New Zealander in 14 years to win their National Open title last year.
- He also enjoyed seven top-10s in Japan and finished 17th on the Japan Tour Order of Merit in 2017.
- Pannakorn had a year to remember in 2017 where he notched one victory and four top-10s to clinch the ADT Order of Merit.
- In doing so, he became the second Thai after Pavit Tangkamolprasert in 2014, to win the accolade.
Players’ Quotes:
K.J. Choi (Kor)
This is my first time playing the New Zealand Open and it has been absolutely wonderful since the first day. The people could not have been more amazing and hospitable to me. I’m sure there will be lots of fans out there and I’m really looking forward to meeting them. I first came here in 1995 for winter training and I remembered playing on several tree-lined courses. The trees were very thick and it was pretty difficult to avoid those trees. But I told myself if I train really hard here and do well, I can go far in my game when I get back on Tour. I had first turned professional at that time and I really pushed myself very hard. Those memories have continued to stay with me even until today. I wanted to get my career started at that time and whenever I look at the local golfers here now, they remind me of how far I’ve come. While a lot has changed, my work ethics continue to remain the same.
Michael Hendry (Nzl)
My form hasn’t been great but I feel I have played better than my results. I have been working particularly hard and was happy with how I played today. Confidence levels and expectations are always changing but it takes a certain amount of pressure off. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone that I can win it because I’ve done it. That said I would love anything in the world to win it again and I have done pretty well defending golf tournaments. It’s amazing even when you haven’t been playing your best what good memories and confident thoughts can do when you come to venues you have played well at before. If you know deep down that you are good enough on your day that counts for a huge amount.
Pannakorn Uthaipas (Tha)
I think my mental game is stronger now. I told myself to keep things simple and not overthink on the course. Playing on the ADT has given me a lot of experiences and I was able to hone my skills. It’s very exciting and this place is simply beautiful. I’ve been practising a lot before I came here as I’m the ADT Order of Merit champion and I’ve to show that. Hopefully, I can play well this week and have something to show for.
Ends.
Gurugram, India, February 27: Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Thomas Bjorn, will become the first-ever current Ryder Cup captain to make an appearance when he tees off at the Hero Indian Open next week.
Bjorn, winner of 21 titles worldwide, and runner-up three times at Major tournaments, will be among the international star cast from over 30 countries at the US$1.75 million event.
The field includes six players from the World’s Top-100 who are all set to battle it out on the Gary Player layout of the DLF Golf and Country Club from March 8 to 11. The field includes a plethora of Order of Merit winners, past champions, Ryder Cup captains and a Major champion.
Interestingly, Bjorn will not be the only Ryder Cup captain in the field, as Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, has also confirmed his presence.
Clarke led the European Ryder Cup team in 2016, while Bjorn will be at the helm for the 2018 Ryder Cup in France this year.
Meanwhile, as the 54th edition of the Hero Indian Open comes closer, many of the top players have shown excellent form in the run-up to the event.
One of the biggest draws in the event, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, a teammate of India’s own Anirban Lahiri at the 2017 Presidents Cup, is coming fresh of a Top-10 finish last week on the PGA Tour. Both Grillo, a past winner on the PGA Tour, and Lahiri are flying in straight from the PGA National in Florida where they played last week.
Grillo, who was in the top-20 of three of the four Majors in 2016, is looking very strong once again in 2018. In the current wrap-around season, he already has two Top-10s on the PGA Tour, besides another tied-12th in Mexico.
Anirban Lahiri of India
India’s Lahiri is also coming off two top-10s in CIMB Classic and CJ Bridges Cup in addition to a tied-14th finish at Mayakoba, Mexico.
Even as the international players hold the spotlight, there will be considerable interest in India’s latest star, Shubhankar Sharma, who also features in his maiden World Golf Championships in Mexico this week. Shubhankar won two Asian Tour titles in the last four months, at the Joburg Open and the Maybank Championship.
The men in form on the European Tour, Joost Luiten, winner of the NBO Oman Open, and Chris Wood, who was second at the Oman event and tied-13th in Qatar Masters, alongside England’s ever-smiling and hugely popular, Andrew Johnston, tied-12th in Oman, are all looking forward to the event. Luiten was also tied-12th in Malaysia, where Shubhankar emerged champion.
“I have heard so much about India and Indian golf that I can’t wait to get there,” said Andrew Johnston.
The Englishman, who has also had a stint on the PGA Tour, added: “I simply love Indian food and Shiv Kapur has promised to take me out for an Indian meal and I am looking forward to that. As for golf, Indians like S.S.P. (Chawrasia) and Shubhankar (Sharma) are doing so well, so it will be great to play in India.”
Also looking forward to India is Chris Wood, whose six-foot-six-inch height will make for a great visual contrast as he stands alongside the reigning two-time Hero Indian Open winner diminutive S.S.P. Chawrasia. The two have played together often on European Tour and were also pitted against each other in the singles at the 2016 EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.
S.S.P. Chawrasia of India
On the Indian side, the virtual who’s who of Indian golf will be present and that includes the two players who have accounted for the last three Hero Indian Open titles – Anirban Lahiri in 2015 and Chawrasia in 2016 and 2017. Also present is Siddikur Rahman winner in 2013.
All the five Indian winners on 2017 Asian and European Tours, Shiv Kapur (three titles in 2017), Chawrasia, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Shubhankar are present in the field.
The field also includes the last three winners of the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings – Gavin Green (2017), Scott Hend (2016) and Lahiri (2015).
Ends.
Chiangmai, Thailand, March 28: A change in putting grip sparked Thai veteran star Prayad Marksaeng to a spectacular seven-under-par 65 at the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT on Thursday.
The 47-year-old home hero, chasing his sixth Asian Tour victory, stole the thunder from South Africa’s Ernie Els, who battled to a 69 with a short putter in his bag for the first time since the end of 2011.
China’s upcoming player, Hu Mu, showed his growing potential with a solid 66 after ending his last five holes with an eagle and two birdies to tie for second place with Prom Meesawat of Thailand and American Jonathan Moore on the region’s premier Tour, which is celebrating its 10th season.
Asia’s first Major champion Y.E. Yang of Korea shot a 69, as with three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee who needs a win this week to qualify for the Masters Tournament next month. Last week’s Maybank Malaysian Open winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand came in with a 71 in the US$750,000 full-field Asian Tour event.
Sweet-swinging Prayad switched to the cross-handed putting grip after shooting pars over the four holes and then went on to make five straight birdies to turn in 31. He carded three more birdies against a lone bogey to top the leaderboard.
“For the first few holes, I couldn’t putt. I didn’t have a good feel. After I finished the fourth hole, I changed my grip to the cross-handed grip and then I kept making birdies,” said a beaming Prayad, whose last Asian Tour victory was in 2007.
“The greens here are very quick. I talked to my caddie and we checked the lines together on every hole. Normally, I read my own lines. This course is good. I feel comfortable here as it’s very tree lined, very similar to Japan.”
Despite turning 47 in January, Prayad still has youthful exuberance and has won three domestic titles this year including his home Open two weeks ago. He credited a healthy lifestyle for keeping him on top of his game.
“I’ve kept fit, I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. I sleep early every night, go to bed at 9pm and then wake up at 5.30am. When I’m home, I just play golf and practice a bit. At the start of the year, I practiced really hard, hit a lot of golf balls but when we’re into the season, I don’t hit so many balls. My golf swing is always the same, so I don’t really need to practice too much.”
Four-time Major champion Els was happy with his short putter after touring the Alpine course without a bogey and taking 29 putts. With an impending ban on the anchored putting method, Els, who won the British Open last year with a belly putter, reverted to the short stick in Chiangmai.
“I thought it was good,” said Els of his short putter. “I missed quite a few but I felt comfortable with it. I made some good ones on my front nine. I missed some greens so I had to up and down a few times and there were some good putts which I had to make. I’m working hard at it when I’m away for tournaments. It felt good today.”
Els believes he is capable to firing a low round at the Alpine course to give himself a chance of winning a first title in 2013. “The course is wonderful. It’s in unbelievable great shape. I was trying to really squeeze a lot out there today but didn’t quite happen. But I feel there’s a good round out there and I’ll keep searching,” said Els, who is nicknamed “The Big Easy”.
After watching close friend Kiradech claim a big win in Malaysia last weekend, a fired-up Prom, seeking his second Asian Tour win since his maiden title in 2006, set the early mark with a boge-free 66.
“It is a great start. I still left a bunch of birdies on my back nine (he started from the 10th tee). But it was still a good round. My irons were pretty good,” said Prom. “I missed a short putt on the fourth hole. That was an easy putt. The first nine holes are very tricky.”
The 23-year-old Hu, regarded as China’s next great hope, underscored his potential with a strong finish. He eagled the 14th hole from 15 feet and then ended his round with two closing birdies.
“It felt great. I know the course is playing tough but I saw a six-under in the early round so that was what I was aiming for. The front nine plays a little bit tougher and I had a few birdie looks but it all lipped out. On the back nine I started holing some putts,” said Hu, who trains under David Leadbetter.
“The course suits my game and my eye. I was happy with my driving. I drove my ball well. I kept the ball in play and kept myself out of trouble. My short game was good. I hit only 11 greens but made 24 putts. I just want to keep building on that, keep my confidence up and get ready for the weekend.”
The Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT is primed to extensively promote Chiangmai as a top golfing and tourist destination through the four days of live broadcasts on the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.
The Chiangmai Golf Classic is supported by PTT Group Company Limited, one of the largest corporations in Thailand, while other premier sponsors include PTT Public Company Ltd, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Advanced Info Service Plc, Siam Commercial Bank PCL, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Provincial Government of Chiangmai, Chiangmai Provincial Administrative Organisation, CAT Telecom Public Company Ltd, TOT Public Company Ltd, Thai Airways International Public Company Ltd, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Samart I-mobile PCL , Loxley Wireless Co Ltd, Forth Corporation Public Company Ltd, J.R.W Utility Plc, Standard Tour Co Ltd, Advanced Information Technology Public Company Ltd, Fenix Apparel and Accessories Co Ltd and Sports Authority of Thailand.
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 Statistic 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
About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in India, China, Brazil and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com.
Queenstown, New Zealand, February 28: Korea’s K.J. Choi returns to New Zealand for the first time in 23 years, ready to show how far he has come when he steps up to the tee at the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open which starts on Thursday.
Choi first visited New Zealand as an aspiring 24-year-old professional attending a golf winter training camp in the country then. Almost two decades later, the 47-year-old, who once reached a career high of fifth place on the Official World Golf Ranking in 2008, is arguably one of highest profile players to compete at Millbrook Resort & the Hills this week.
The Korean acknowledged the expectations of the fans and is looking forward to putting up a performance befitting of his reputation as one of the most successful golfers to come out of Asia.
Defending champion Michael Hendry also makes his return to familiar winning ground having made history by becoming the first New Zealander in 14 years to win his National open last year.
While he only has one top-10 finish to show for this year, Hendry believes he will have the form to contend at the highest level when the tournament tees off tomorrow.
Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas, who topped the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit in 2017, is excited with his first start at the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open after a fantastic ADT season on the Tour’s secondary circuit which has presented him with numerous playing opportunities this year.
Did you know?
- K.J. Choi grew up in a farming family on the island of Wando, off the southern coast of Korea and was a powerlifter at his local high school.
- In his early golfing years, Choi would take a two-hour bus ride at 5am each morning to the golf course where he would practise until dark and then return home.
- Choi’s first professional win came two years after he turned professional when he won the Korean Open in 1996.
- Choi became the first Korean to earn a PGA Tour card in 2000 and went on to record eight wins there including the Players Championship in 2011.
- He credits Jack Nicklaus for playing an influential role in his career. He said reading Nickaus’ book, "Golf My Way" book early in his golf career assisted him in becoming the golfer he is today.
- He founded the K.J. Choi Foundation in 2007 with the mission of helping Korean children and communities, but his reach has extended to global aid for hurricane and tsunami victims today.
- Michael Hendry became the first New Zealander in 14 years to win their National Open title last year.
- He also enjoyed seven top-10s in Japan and finished 17th on the Japan Tour Order of Merit in 2017.
- Pannakorn had a year to remember in 2017 where he notched one victory and four top-10s to clinch the ADT Order of Merit.
- In doing so, he became the second Thai after Pavit Tangkamolprasert in 2014, to win the accolade.
Players’ Quotes:
K.J. Choi (Kor)
This is my first time playing the New Zealand Open and it has been absolutely wonderful since the first day. The people could not have been more amazing and hospitable to me. I’m sure there will be lots of fans out there and I’m really looking forward to meeting them. I first came here in 1995 for winter training and I remembered playing on several tree-lined courses. The trees were very thick and it was pretty difficult to avoid those trees. But I told myself if I train really hard here and do well, I can go far in my game when I get back on Tour. I had first turned professional at that time and I really pushed myself very hard. Those memories have continued to stay with me even until today. I wanted to get my career started at that time and whenever I look at the local golfers here now, they remind me of how far I’ve come. While a lot has changed, my work ethics continue to remain the same.
Michael Hendry (Nzl)
My form hasn’t been great but I feel I have played better than my results. I have been working particularly hard and was happy with how I played today. Confidence levels and expectations are always changing but it takes a certain amount of pressure off. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone that I can win it because I’ve done it. That said I would love anything in the world to win it again and I have done pretty well defending golf tournaments. It’s amazing even when you haven’t been playing your best what good memories and confident thoughts can do when you come to venues you have played well at before. If you know deep down that you are good enough on your day that counts for a huge amount.
Pannakorn Uthaipas (Tha)
I think my mental game is stronger now. I told myself to keep things simple and not overthink on the course. Playing on the ADT has given me a lot of experiences and I was able to hone my skills. It’s very exciting and this place is simply beautiful. I’ve been practising a lot before I came here as I’m the ADT Order of Merit champion and I’ve to show that. Hopefully, I can play well this week and have something to show for.
About Asian Tour
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 Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.
Please visit us at:
www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com
www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf
Chiangmai, March 28: China’s Hu Mu outscored Major champions Ernie Els and Y.E. Yang with a bogey free six-under-par 66 to share second place in the opening round of the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT on Thursday.
The 23-year-old, playing on a sponsor’s invitation, made one birdie on the front nine but charged home with an eagle on 14 and three birdies at the magnificent Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai.
Hu ended the day one back from multiple Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand at the US$750,000 full-field Asian Tour event. South African Els and Yang, Asia’s first Major winner, carded matching 69s.
“It felt great. I know the course is playing tough but I saw a six-under in the early round so that was what I was aiming for. The front nine plays a little bit tougher because it is playing longer. I had a few birdie looks but it all lipped out.
“The course suits my game and my eye. I was happy with my driving. I drove my ball well and found seven fairways. It doesn’t seem much but I kept the ball in play and kept myself out of trouble. My short game was good. I hit only 11 greens but made 24 putts,” added Hu, who closed out his round with two closing birdies.
The young Chinese has enjoyed some hot starts on the Asian Tour but knows he needs to maintain his consistency throughout the week if he wants to join countrymen Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong as winners on the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.
He was in the running to finish in the top-40 at the Asian Tour Qualifying School for his Tour card earlier this year but dropped out of contention after a final round 78. At the season-opening Zaykabar Myanmar Open, he posted a 67 on the first day and ended his campaign in tied 39th following further cards of 70, 71 and 73.
“I’ve been in contention in the last couple of events. I just want to keep building on that, keep my confidence up and get ready for the weekend,” said Hu.
Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka opened his campaign with a topsy-turvy 70 which included five birdies and three bogeys. Playing alongside Ernie Els and Thongchai Jaidee, the four-time Asian Tour champion said he took a lot of positives playing alongside four-time Major winner Els.
“Ernie and Thongchai played really well. It was a very easy 69 for them and they missed so many putts. There was plenty for me to learn from them. Two under for me was okay as my putting and iron play was not good. I will need to go to the range to work on my iron play,” said Hiratsuka.
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 Statistic 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
About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in India, China, Brazil and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Recent Comments