Asian stars looking to sparkle on global stage<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Perth, Australia<\/p>\n
The richest season in the history of Asian golf tees off here on
\nWednesday and the region's home-grown stars are confident they
\ncan make their mark alongside the global elite at the Johnnie
\nWalker Classic.<\/p>\n
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Korean Charlie Wi head a 30-
\nstrong contingent from the Asian PGA tour in the prestigious
\nUS$1.3 million event at the Lake Karrinyup Golf Club.<\/p>\n
The event, last played at the end of 2000 when Tiger Woods won
\nin Bangkok, is also part of the European and Australasian tours.<\/p>\n
With the likes of South African duo Ernie Els and Retief
\nGoosen, Spain's Sergio Garcia and former European number one
\nColin Montgomerie in the field, Asia's best have never had a
\nbetter chance to make a mark.<\/p>\n
For Thongchai, who pipped Wi to the post to head the 2001
\nAsian money list, the Classic is his first event of 2002.<\/p>\n
\"I wanted to have enough time to rest and felt that it would
\nbe great to make the Johnnie Walker Classic the first tournament
\nof the year,\" said Thongchai, who turned down the chance to play
\nin the European Tour's opening two events in South Africa earlier
\nthis month.<\/p>\n
\"I have a feeling I will be paired with some of the top
\nplayers this week so I am really excited about that. I am always
\nable to lift my game when I play with better players,\" added the
\nThai.<\/p>\n
Thongchai showed his class in the last European-backed event
\nhe played in, the Asian Open in Taiwan in November where he
\nfinished joint second.<\/p>\n
\"The Asian Open and playing in last year's US Open really gave
\nme a lot of confidence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"This week will be tough, it's very hot, but my game is still
\nvery good. I feel strong and will try my best to win,\" said
\nThongchai.<\/p>\n
Wi, unlike Thongchai, opted to start his season in South
\nAfrica. He missed the cut in the South African Open but played
\nall four rounds last week in the Dunhill Championship.<\/p>\n
The Asian PGA tour is currently the fastest growing in the
\nworld. Despite a global downturn in sponsorship, prize money for
\nthe first half of this year is set to rise by $1 million to a
\ntotal of over $5 million over 11 events.<\/p>\n
As well as the Johnnie Walker Classic, the Singapore Masters
\nand the Malaysian Open in February are also jointly organized
\nwith the European tour.<\/p>",
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