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