KUALA LUMPUR – Jan. 26, 2005 – The Asian Tour begins a new year in Singapore this week with the region's finest players chasing for more riches and glory.
Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, last season's Asian Tour number one, is tipped to lead the chase alongside established names such as India's Jyoti Randhawa and China's Zhang Lian-wei. But the Tour is looking forward to a new crop of talents capable of hitting the headlines.
Last season, Angelo Que of the Philippines and India's Rahil Gangjee scored maiden professional victories and much is expected from the young duo. Among the candidates tipped to break through include newcomer Shiv Kapur of India, who secured his card from Qualifying School recently, and Thailand's Prom Meesawat, who ensured a successful rookie season in 2004 by retaining his Asian Tour card.
The massive strides taken by the Asian Tour, which will host a minimum of 14 tournaments in the first half of its 2005 season and with prize money of US$11.7 million, will provide the drive for the region's talents to shine. Last year, 22 tournaments were held, offering record funds of US$12.3 million, but Chief Executive Louis Martin is predicting the 2005 season will surpass last year's achievements.
Former soldier Thongchai led the raid in 2004 and amassed a record haul of US$381,929 while a total of 22 players earned over US$100,000 last year, the highest number of players to break six figures in the history of Asian golf.
"2005 is set to be another bumper year for the Asian Tour," predicted Martin. "We have announced 14 tournaments up till June and are confident that the schedule will include no fewer than 25 tournaments this season. We will welcome new events such as the Brunei Open and CGA Championship in Beijing while other tournaments have announced increases in prize money which underlines the strengthen and growth of the Asian Tour.
"On the golf course, our players have proven that they can produce world-class golf and the likes of Thongchai Jaidee, Zhang Lian-wei and Jyoti Randhawa will surely lead the way for the Asian Tour. I expect them to achieve success not only in the region but also on the international front this season.
"There is great anticipation as well on the emergence of many young players who are capable of rising to the top. Players like Shiv Kapur, Prom Meesawat, Angelo Que and Liang Wen-chong certainly have the game to excel."
The US$1 million Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg, Singapore will begin at Laguna National Golf and Country Club from Thursday, with big Scot Colin Montgomerie defending the title.
While it is the first event of 2005, the Caltex Masters, jointly sanctioned with the European Tour, will be the second counting event on the 2005 Asian Tour Order of Merit following the staging of the Okinawa Open, jointly sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour, last December.
The Caltex Masters will present the first opportunity for Thongchai to shoot for more glory as he begins his quest to play his way into the world's top-50, a goal he hopes to achieve by year's end. "I am stronger this year with a new fitness routine and will try my best to get into the top-50 of the world ranking," said the Thai, winner of two titles on the Asian Tour last year.
"I think this year could be the best chance for me to move higher on the European Tour Order of Merit. With the co-sanctioned events to take place in Asia, I am excited about playing closer to home."
Randhawa is also looking forward to the New Year after ending last season with a glorious victory at the Volvo Masters of Asia in Malaysia. "I've been working on a few minor swing adjustments, but nothing dramatic. And I'll keep sticking to what works for me. I play to win and perform at the highest level. "If anything my attitude is even more focused now. I have played against most of the world's best and know that I have the game to compete against them on any given day," said Randhawa.
The year 2005 will also see Chinese trailblazer Zhang turning 40 in May. But the self-taught golfer will look at Vijay Singh and Miguel Angel Jimenez for inspiration, both players winning a combined 14 titles last season while in their early 40s.
2004 was a winless year for Zhang but the Shenzhen-based golfer is ready to return to his winning ways. The year-end break was also a welcome respite for an old hip injury.
"Maybe my hip was a way of telling me I need to remember to rest and recover between tournaments, and unfortunately it does remind me I'm not getting younger. It's just a number and I hope to be able to play competitive golf for much longer. I am very pleased with what I have accomplished and hope I can continue to achieve great things on the golf course. Certainly Vijay and Miguel give inspiration to others that success is not only for the young players. I believe I can continue to win tournaments too," said Zhang, who made history last year by becoming the first Chinese player to feature in the US Masters.
Contact:
Chuah Choo Chiang
Media Director
Asian Tour
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