SHANGHAI – Nov. 18, 2004 – Indian stalwart Jyoti Randhawa will lead a strong Asian Tour contingent in the battle of continents at the US$1 million Volvo China Open next week.
Randhawa, Asia's number one in 2002, is amongst six players from the top-10 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit who have confirmed their entries at Shanghai Silport Golf Club from November 25-28. China's 10th national Open is jointly sanctioned for the first time by the Asian Tour and European Tour, ensuring a thrilling East vs West battle for one of the most prestigious championships in Asia.
Other top stars from the Asian Tour line-up include Thailand's golden boys of golf, Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng, winner of the Volvo China Open in 1996, in-form Australian Terry Pilkadaris and England's Simon Dyson, champion here in 2000. Many of this season's winners will also head to Shanghai hoping to drive away with the Volvo China Open crown. They include first-time winners Mardan Mamat of Singapore, India's Rahil Gangjee and Filipino Angelo Que, who triumphed in the recent Carlsberg Masters Vietnam.
Randhawa is a man on a mission. He is eyeing the Order of Merit crown again and a good week in China could just be the launchpad. He is presently third on the merit list with US$248,309, some US$100,000 behind Thongchai. Many pundits have tipped the talented Indian to join compatriot Arjun Atwal as a winner on the European Tour and he is slowly working his way up. This year, Randhawa has come close in joint-sanctioned events, finishing tied second in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand and third in the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg in Singapore. He was also 10th in the Asian Open in Shanghai in May.
Boonchu, at the ripe age of 48, has been a revelation, winning his home Open in January and amassing six other top-10s. He will tee off in the Volvo China Open on the back of three outstanding performances where he has finished second, third and fourth. "I don't practice as hard as these young players," said Boonchu. "I only work on some weaknesses when I have to and try to take it easy. I'm an old man now but I still enjoy playing golf."
It has also been a year for the young guns with Gangjee and Que breaking through. China will bring back good memories for Gangjee as he won the inaugural Masters China, beating a field that included the likes of Philip Price, Nick Faldo, Zhang Lian-wei and Kang Wook-soon. "Winning in China just came out of the blue. I wasn't playing great, so perhaps it was destiny that I won. It was good that it gives me a two-year exemption on the Asian Tour. I wasn't expecting much from myself after winning. I'm just out here this year to learn and gain experience.
"There are expectations on me, even from myself but it's important for me to keep that in check," said Gangjee, who is playing in his rookie season in Asia. Filipino Que was equally impressive winning the inaugural Carlsberg Masters Vietnam earlier this month. He went toe-to-toe with current Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand in the final round, overcame a two-shot deficit and won by two strokes.
"My confidence was low going to Vietnam but I told myself to start believing in my own abilities. I knew I could play the game. This is golf, one day you can be down there and the next you're up here," said Que, only the second player from his country to win on the Asian Tour.
The strength of the Asian Tour will be added if Thongchai and the second-ranked Simon Yates make it back on time from the US Tour Qualifying School Stage Two. They will play in Shanghai only if they falter at stage two as the Finals is held immediately after the Volvo China Open.
For further information, please contact Asian Tour's Chuah Choo Chiang at tel: +603 7880 3714 or email: chuah@asiantour.com. Also visit www.volvochinaopen.com and www.asiantour.com
