Sentosa, Singapore, January 18: Read what players have to say following their second rounds at the SMBC Singapore Open on Friday.

Poom Saksansin (Tha) – Second round 70 (-1), Total 135 (-7)

It has been a long day but I am very happy. Although I only shot a one-under for my second round, I think it was a very nice round. The wind was picking up and my iron-play wasn’t that good. To come back with an under-par score, I am really happy with it.

I feel really tired now. I have to go back soon, get a shower and then go to sleep! Casey played really nicely today. He hit it so far on the eighth hole. I really like that shot. I have to follow my own style because he hit it long and I hit it short! But it was good to see him play.

I need to get more practice after this and speak to my coach about my iron-play today. It’s not good now. I keep hooking the shots. I just need a minor fix, I think. Hopefully I can fix that so it will be easier for me tomorrow.

I want to really get a good rest tonight. I am going to eat some good food, no more 7-Eleven! Maybe I’ll eat chicken rice.

Casey hit it nicely from tee to green. I hit it short but my irons were okay and I managed to make some putts. I will try and hit my irons better tomorrow. Nothing else changes.

Paul Casey (Eng) – Second round 67 (-4), Total 135 (-7)

That was a 22-hour round of golf! I’m glad I’ve got the first round done. I feel good! The golf course has changed though, with so much rain overnight. The ground crew and everybody here should be applauded, because it’s still in fabulous shape.

But it feels like it’s getting a little bit trickier out there. We’ve got a great looking leaderboard, with some favourite names right up there. Poom, my nemesis – I lost to him in the EurAsia Cup and he’s just played a marvellous round of golf again, I can’t seem to beat the guy, but I’m in good spirits.

Davis Love III (Usa) – Second round 68 (-3), Total 137 (-5)

I am pretty good (on his level of fatigue). I wouldn’t have wanted to do 36, but I did 25 and that is enough. Now I get to rest and hopefully I will get 18 tomorrow afternoon.  I’m a little disappointed with my round, I don’t know what day it is.

The first round that ended today – I didn’t end very well and I threw away a few shots in the second round as well. But overall, it is my first time around the course, I am under par and not too far out of lead so I am happy.

Shaun Norris (Rsa) – Second round 68 (-3), Total 137 (-5)

My feet are killing me. It’s the first tournament of the year so the body is still not used to all the walking these two days. Unfortunately, the weather is not playing into our hands but overall, I feel very happy that we got to finish our second round today.

It’s always the same thing in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. I am happy to go under par for the first tournament of the year, played nicely for the first two rounds to put myself up there. A nice low weekend would be nice.

I have been playing a lot in Japan. The courses are very tough but I enjoy that. It kind of helped make my golf stronger over the years. Playing in Asia has always been great. I always enjoy it. I finished nicely last year, came in joint-second and earned a ticket to The Open. Hopefully I can finish one spot better this time.

Yikeun Chang (Kor) – Second round 68 (-3), Total 137 (-5)

It was a long day. I woke up at like 5.30pm today. It’s like over 12 hours. I was really tired towards the end but I just tried my best out there. I struck the ball really well the last two days. I just missed some short birdie putts on the last couple of holes. Other than that, I am doing really well. I am hoping to play well over the weekend.

This is my first event for 2019. This is such a good tournament. I am definitely looking to get the season off to a good start here. I think it’s a good tournament to win. Two more days to go. You never know what can happen on this course.

Just two more days of hardwork and hopefully I can get the job done. Just got to keep hitting the ball good. There are a lot of great players out there. But it would be nice to play my way back to The Open as well. I will try my best.

Chikkarangappa S. (Ind) – Second round 67 (-5), Total 137 (-5)

I played 30 holes today. I am starting to feel the fatigue now! I didn’t really feel it during the round. I was hitting the ball good and I putted well. The weather was good too compared to yesterday. I was really enjoying myself out there.

I was even-par after six holes. To shoot five-under in the remaining 12 holes, I am really happy with that. It was a very composed round. Everything just went the right way. This is a week that I always look forward to. It’s a great track to play on.

My performances here weren’t that great the past two years. I really worked hard for this. I had a great end to the season in 2018, keeping my card for this season. Just riding on that good form and hoping to continue with that.

Obviously looking to qualify for The Open this week as well. I believe I have done my work. Just another two days of solid golf and I will get there.

Kuala Lumpur, January 18: Maybank today announced legends of golf and Major title winners, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington, as among the star attractions who will be at the Maybank Championship at Saujana Golf & Country Club from March 21-24.

Defending champion Shubhankar Sharma and Malaysia’s top-ranked Gavin Green will also be part of the formidable field that will have players drawn from the world Tours, including a contingent from the ASEAN region.

The 156-field make-up embraces an all-new category for this tournament, with 15 players from the top-150 of the Official World Golf Ranking, qualifying solely on merit. They join another 60 players drawn from both the Asian and European Tours.

By retaining the iconic ASEAN category, the Maybank Championship has elevated its player field and made it inclusive of world-class players from all the federations. A string of players from Australia, China, New Zealand and South Korea – some of them with an eye on making the President’s Cup team later this year – will also add significantly to the international composition of the tournament.

But it is the inclusion of Els and Harrington that will capture the imagination of the fans as they await the fourth edition of the Maybank Championship. It is fitting too that included in the field at the US$3 million event in Kuala Lumpur are players of top quality – and this is something Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Group President and CEO of Maybank, alluded to when he said the Bank was more than delighted to host such pedigree at an event whose tagline is “Where the Best Meet.”

“The inclusion of the game’s most active global player Ernie ‘Big Easy’ Els, as well as three-time Major winner and recently appointed European Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington, underscores our objective to feature some of the best players in the world at this premier golf tournament.”

“Having our defending champion, Shubhankar Sharma, Maybank’s ASEAN ambassador Gavin Green, Japan’s prince of golf Ryo Ishikawa and ‘Babyface Assassin’ Poom Saksansin in the field, also reaffirms our objective of providing a platform for Asian stars to shine,” added Datuk Abdul Farid.

“There is no doubt they will add tremendous character to the championship, even by just being here in Kuala Lumpur,” he said. “But that is not all. The championship will showcase not only the best in golf, but also present a strong essence of our event DNA with delightful cuisine and lifestyle elements of the finest tastes at the week-long event.”

“Essentially, the Maybank Championship embraces these spheres of sport and life in a tournament that is family-orientated. The championship is a week where all get to enjoy, watch and experience a first-class event – on and off the course,” said Datuk Abdul Farid.

The Big Easy, a household name in this region with ventures in Langkawi and Johor Bahru at the Els Club, is forever a favourite with the fans, especially with his easy going, laid back demeanour on and off the course. And with four Major titles to his credit, two US Opens and two British Opens, along with 28 European Tour titles and 19 on the PGA Tour to his credit, Els is as seasoned as they come.

The likeable South African, is captain of the International Team in this year’s Presidents Cup.

Harrington, back-to-back winner of the 2007 and 2008 British Opens and with a US PGA Championship trophy also in his cabinet, was announced last week that he will skipper the European Team when they defend their title in the United States next year will add to his stature at the Maybank Championship. The Irishman, who won four times in Asia, including in Malaysia back in 2010 when he captured the Iskandar Johor Open title, was an overwhelming favourite to get the job.

With several visits to Malaysia under his belt and now hugely popular in the galleries, Harrington’s presence at this season’s Maybank Championship will add immense excitement for those who know and love the game.

Shubhankar was a worthy winner last year and he has used his Maybank Championship success to forge his way to the top of the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Order of Merit.

The Indian star’s victory at Saujana also helped catapult him up the world rankings and into the US Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, four World Golf Championship (WGC) events and earn his European Tour card in the process.

His return to defend “The Tiger Trophy” will be followed closely by the fans in tournament week and there is no doubt he will be keen on a repeat at the Maybank Championship – if not only to get his new campaign off to a solid start again.

Green, the Asian Tour’s out-going number one having won the 2017 Order of Merit which also earned him full playing rights on the European Tour in 2018, will similarly be aiming to get his season off to a sound start and more so in an event whose title sponsor is Maybank.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Green said: “This is Maybank’s flagship golf tournament and for us who are playing on home soil, we all want to do our best and put that extra bit of effort into it.

“It is a European Tour co-sanctioned event and because of that it features some of the world’s leading players, making it even more difficult to win. But we will give it our shot and see what happens,” added Green.

Ishikawa, the “Bashful Prince”, is no stranger to Malaysia and given his iconic global appeal is massively popular when walking the local fairways. His presence, and support from the local Japanese fans, is also expected to impact the Maybank Championship profoundly.

Poom Saksansin is definitely a megastar in the making. His recent victory on the Asian Tour in Indonesia, where he left the likes of then world number two – and now number one – Justin Rose and fellow Ryder Cup winner Henrik Stenson in his trail, clearly illustrates his potential.

A member of the 2018 EurAsia Cup, Poom has won in each of the last three Asian Tour seasons and as he continues to develop his game, many have predicted much more to come from the 25-year-old.

Shinichi Mizuno, who qualified by virtue of his victory in the PGM Maybank ADT Championship at Saujana in December, will also be there.

The Maybank Championship is a tournament that brings together the best of ASEAN and the world and recognises golf for the sport it truly is – a spirited game that embodies integrity, patience and respect.

With a list of some of the world’s leading golfers at Saujana, drawn from almost 30 nations, the Maybank Championship looks set for another entertaining and enthralling tournament. Unsurprisingly, it inspires a mix of international and Asian golfers in a truly world-class Malaysian championship.

Ends.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 18: Read what players have to say following the completion of round one at the SMBC Singapore Open on Friday.

Poom Saksansin (Tha) – First round 65 (-6)

I am very happy. I came back to resume my round early this morning and there wasn’t much wind. I hit my irons good too so I was able to gain some shot out there. I putted well too. I have experienced a lot of rain delays before but it was never like this, taking one whole day to finish 18 holes.

I waited three hours yesterday and it was suspended again when I was on the last hole. I don’t enjoy it so hopefully the weather gets better for everyone. It was nice playing alongside Paul Casey. I played my own game and he was focused on his too. We spoke a bit.

I am sure there will be a couple more rain delays so I will try and play the same. The calm conditions helped me a lot. If it was windy out there, I wouldn’t be able to shoot such a low score like this.

Chan Shih-chang (Tpe) – First round 66 (-5)

I think this is the longest 18 holes I have ever played. We had like three suspensions since yesterday. But having said that, I am pretty satisfied with the way I played. I just try to stay relax during the delays and keep stretching so my body won’t be stiff.

Actually, rain delays are very common back home in Chinese Taipei too. So I am prepared for it. It’s still ok, just a bit more tiring.

It’s my first event of the year. I obviously hope to win again soon. But I haven’t set any targets for myself this week. I just told myself to do my best. This is my best score at Serapong since 2016. I think my iron-play was good and I was able to read the lines better this time.

Hung Chien-yao (Tpe) – First round 66 (-5)

I don’t know what to say actually. This is a very beautiful course and I have been here a lot of times. I know how challenging it is and I have not shot such a good score here before. I just thought my mental game was good today.

I felt really relaxed out there and I wasn’t thinking much. I can’t tell you which holes were good and which holes were not. I can just say I am very lucky today. A lot of shots I didn’t hit good but still managed to get in good positions.

I got married last year and welcomed my baby daughter recently. I guess my mindset has changed quite a bit from last year, with the responsibilities I have now. I couldn’t quite get used to it last year but coming to the first event of the season this week, I told myself to just come here and enjoy myself.

Enjoy every tournament that I get in and then go back and spend time with my family. That was my mindset coming here. I am really happy to become a father at the age of 26. It has not been easy for me and my wife. It wasn’t easy looking after a baby as we always have to wake up in the middle of the night.

I told myself I need to be more mature now and not get angry so easily out there. I talk to myself more I guess. There are a lot of good players this week. I would love to continue playing well tomorrow. Hopefully I can stay lucky. Nothing changes for tomorrow. I will play shot by shot and do my best.

Whatever happens, I will face it with a positive mindset.

Yuta Ikeda (Jpn) – First round 67 (-4)

I had good chances before the first birdie on 14 but overall it was good golf. Played well until the bogey on fifth. Last week at the Sony Open in Hawaii, I played well but could not score. Today, the score is finally showing. I would like to keep it like this tomorrow.

Miguel Tabuena (Phi) – First round 67 (-4)

My game’s still pretty rusty. I took a long break from the game, longer than usual. I just had a longer off-season last year. I had some family visits in the United States over Christmas and I wanted to spend more time with them.

But I am happy with the way I played today. It’s going to be tough out there. You have to make a lot of birdies and hit the fairways and try to attack the pins.

I had some good finishes here. I came in tied-fourth in 2016 and last year, I was tied-eighth. Hopefully I can do better than that. I am on the right track. There are still a lot of golf to be played. I am striking the ball well and I am happy with it.

Two three putts today costed me. That was on the third and ninth holes. That were the only two bogeys I made today.

I didn’t touch the clubs since the last day of Indonesian Masters till January 6. It’s still a little bit rusty. I am going to the range and hit a few balls. I am going to try and get my drives more accurate. If I can do that, I should be able to do well this week.

Arjun Atwal (IND) – First round 67 (-4)

Having played so much golf in this part of the world, I guess I am kind of prepared for the rain delays, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. It’s one of the longest one that I have had though. Started the round yesterday and only finished now.

I played really solid though, apart from the bogey on the last. I have no complaints. I find this course really tough so you can’t really let up on any holes. It’s a great start nonetheless.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – First round 68 (-3)

I had a shaky start today, playing with two superstars Ryo Ishikawa and Sergio Garcia. They are the two players whom I look up to and I’ve watched them play in the Majors since young. They are two of my idols really.

I got used to it after a few holes. I got back the momentum and it kind of free me up a bit and I managed to play better on the back nine. It was a good experience playing with them. I get to see how they play at the highest level.

I can see where I need to improve, what I can do better in and see what my strengths and weaknesses are. It’s just inspiring playing with them.

Three-under is not a bad round, I think. I just want to keep my game solid, hit the fairways and greens out there. I hope to sink a few more putts tomorrow but everything has been on point.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng) – First round 68 (-3)

The storm seems to have come early today and it’s pouring down right now so I’m not envious of anyone who’s still out there.

It was a bit up and down. I felt like I drove it pretty well and gave myself some chances on the fairway to get close, but didn’t really take them. I putted pretty solid, and my short game was alright as well, so it was a good solid day all around.

The new rules are very interesting. We actually had to stop ourselves today on 17 – we weren’t even sure if you could still go back to the tee. That’s sort of a traditional rule that everyone knows, but we just played it safe instead and just went in front of the tee box. Dropping from knee height is different, I think it makes you look a little bit silly personally but it is what it is.

Nicholas Fung (Mas) – First round 68 (-3)

It’s a very important week so it’s definitely good to start well. This year is my last year of winner’s exemption so I really need to do well to keep my card for next year. It’s important for me so I hope to play well in the first few events.

I had a good finish to the 2018 season, shooting a 62 on the final day of the Indonesian Masters. It’s definitely good to carry that good form to Singapore. I have been playing well as of late. I try to stick to my usual practice routine and kept my momentum going.

I am pretty confident with my swing now. I just hope to make some putts out there. I have played here a couple of times. You need to hit the fairways to score out there. This is not a very long course. If you hit a bad drive, you might not get a good second shot because the greens are big and quick here.

The key is definitely to find as many greens and fairways as possible out there.

Sergio Garcia (Esp) – First round 69 (-2)

They actually helped quite a bit with this heat, and they kind of prevent mosquitos from biting. They actually felt quite good, so I was happy to wear them.

Well it does help a little bit. I’ve had a little bit of a sinus infection these last couple of days, and a bit of an upset stomach this morning. But I think I played nicely, and the highest I can shoot. Obviously there were a couple of shots here and there where I was a little bit rusty, like this one on the last (hole) for example, the second shot. But other than that I felt like I played well. I gave myself a lot of chances and hit some good putts. I didn’t really make a lot, but the greens are tricky. They’re very fast, and you have to be very aware of your speed, and unfortunately I lacked a little bit of speed in a couple of parts here and there.

Just chill and get some food in my belly. Relax a little bit. Obviously days here in Singapore are long and hard with the heat and humidity, so it’s important to rest and take a nice cold shower, and just get ready for tomorrow.

Koh Deng Shan (SGP) – First round 69 (-2)

I hit the ball good today. You need to hit the ball good on this course. I putted well too. I would love to have hit my irons closer today but at least I put myself on the right sides of the greens. I didn’t really have to scramble for par, except for the 11th hole where I hit a bad tee shot.

Made a good par there though. I hit it into the front bunker but got up and down from there. That kind of sparked my momentum. It’s always nice playing at the Sentosa Golf Club. It’s obviously nice to be in this position. It always feels good whenever you get to play in your National Open.

I hope to keep this going. It actually felt like any other tournament when you are out on course. But it’s definitely nice to be staying at home this week and having so many friends coming out to watch you play. It’s a very good feeling.

It’s good to have people cheering you on out there. It keeps you positive and definitely motivates you to play better. I think we have a very strong local contingent this week. There are a few young and upcoming professionals like Gregory Foo.

It would be great to get more support. Sentosa has been doing a great job, letting us practise here prior to this week. I think that helps a lot.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 16: Read to find out what our top contenders have to say ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open which starts on Thursday.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha)

I love coming back to Singapore. I played really well at the Sentosa Golf Club the last two years. The course is in great shape and my game is quite good. I had two weeks off before playing last week. It’s a good feeling to have at the start of the year.

I played well last year to earn my Major debut. I would love to do it again. I really enjoyed myself at The Open last year and it’s definitely my aim to go to Royal Portrush this July. It was an eye-opener for me at The Open and it’s one of the best experiences which I have ever had.

The 2018 season only ended like two weeks ago for me. I didn’t get a lot of rest but it’s ok. Sometimes it’s not good to take a long break. You need a lot of time to find back your form. Two to three weeks will be perfect.

My aim is to get multiple wins on the Asian Tour this year. I have been wanting to achieve that for a few years now. I planned to play more in Europe as well.

Justin Harding (Rsa)

I would love to have more of 2018 actually. The past seven months have obviously been a whirlwind, especially since my breakthrough in Indonesia. It’s just going to be pretty much the same.

I am playing the Serapong course for the first time this week and it’s the start of a brand-new Asian Tour season. The course’s certainly not easy. It’s demanding off the tee.

It’s my first time in Singapore. It’s bit tricky when you can’t explain every time you travel to a new place and people back home thinks you’re going on a holiday. Very often, it’s just travelling between golf course and hotel for me. I flew in here on Saturday.

I would love to tour around Singapore a little but I only had the chance to tour the island. The atmosphere is good here. At the end of the day, it’s about playing in this tournament. It’s the first of the season. It’s nice coming off a good break and start the season here.

It’s like a warm-up to the season this week but the golf course is a great test to every aspects of your game. You kind of need to come in early and prepare well and be all ready for tomorrow.

Sanghyun Park (Kor)

I had a great year last year. I am delighted to be back. I think the more I play here, the more I am familiar with this course. Hopefully my experiences from the past two years will help me this week. I played in The Open for the first-time last year too.

I missed out on the opportunity in Singapore when I finished tied-sixth but made up for the disappointment by securing my spot through the Kolon Korean Open later. It was a pity that I didn’t play well in Carnoustie. I would love to play The Open again this year.

Davis Love III (Usa)

I’ve been here about 12 hours. I’m enjoying it so far, having a great time on the golf course. I saw Dru this morning having breakfast and we’re going to have to change roles – usually I’m telling him what to do in a tournament but he’s been here for a few days so he’s telling me where everything is.

I’ve played 3 of the first four/fall series since the start of the year. Not great results but I played the weekends and felt my game’s coming around…Actually, Saturday was one of my best playing games in the while and confidence is coming back. I’m excited about my form and came here with high expectations, what with the great greens, great golf course and the four spots to get into The Open Championships so I was definitely gearing to this point this week.

There’s more stress on me because I’m trying to play my ball and play his as well I’m trying to get his ball to go on the hole maybe harder than mine. I always want him to do well and have a good week. I prefer him to beat me this week. If he beats me, I just want one of those four spots for The Open Championship. We compete at home, we compete any time. He said “Dad, we should have played a little bit in the Pro-Am today.” We’re always thinking about each other but out here with Sergio and Ryo, we got a whole bunch of guys to beat so it’s going to be tough.

If I putt the way I did last week, yes. I’m not the longest player in the field, I used to be. But like Dru said, he’s going to hit it high over the bunkers and I’m going to figure out where to hit it off the tee. Playing late yesterday or Sunday in Hawaii I didn’t have time here to play extra practice round so there’ll be a lot of studying tonight to figure out where and how to hit it off the tee. But from the fairway to green and putting, my game is in pretty good shape I’m excited about my chances. You just have to be smart. The guys who have played here like Sergio who have seen the golf course going to have a bit of advantage over us. But give me a couple of days and we’ll figure it out. There are a lot of golf courses out there but this is a really good challenging golf course.

I’m with Lagardere as my management company, and they’ve been telling me about this tournament, trying to get me to come. The opportunity to come to play in Singapore where I’ve never been was a big draw. The four spots for the Open was a big draw. But the main thing is his (Dru’s) mum said we’re going. This is a place I’ve always wanted to come. I don’t go on vacation very much; I travel to play golf, so this is a great opportunity to come to a place I’ve never seen before.

I made a commitment to some of my sponsors to play more on the regular tour this year than the champions tour. I want to get back into the 125, and try to get back in the players championship, which I haven’t played in the last few years and is one of my favourite tournaments. I don’t want to give up on the LA Opens and the Genesis Open. I’m going to play at Pebble Beach – some of the great golf courses that we get to play on the regular tour, I just don’t want it to be my last time to play them yet. I just can’t really pull the trigger on going to the Champion’s Tour full-time yet. My goal is 125, getting my ranking back up – last week I finally popped back into the top 100 in the FedEx. I don’t like being 82nd, but it’s better than being 182nd, where I’ve been a lot these past few years with injuries. 125 is the goal, and trying to win another tournament – if I won now, I would be the oldest who’s ever won on the PGA Tour. If I can stay healthy 40 more turns, then I’ll have played more turns than anybody on the PGA Tour. Healthy is a good goal – and 125.

It’s in great shape, it’s challenging – off the tee you need to be very smart with the clubs you hit and where you hit it, but it’s a great golf course. Big rolling greens where you have to hit it in the right section of the green and your putting is going to have to be spot on. I’ve been excited ever since I looked it up in the world rankings, and looked up the designer and talked to the players who’ve been here in the past. I’m excited about the golf course, the tournament, and the chance to compete with these guys.

My advice to Dru is just to be patient. That’s one thing I’ve learned over 34-5 years of doing this – you have to be very patient with yourself and your game at the golf course. Sometimes when you’re young you want things to happen fast, and look at negative things, if you’re just very patient and methodical and do your routine and play your game, good things can happen. I think that’s one of my strengths -just to be patient and have a positive attitude.

Dru Love (Usa)

I have been here since Sunday night. Got to explore the city a little bit and it’s beautiful; one of my new favourite cities in the world. Incredible place and incredible golf course.

I think my game’s pretty good and the golf course and suits my game a bit. I like to drive all the way you can carry some of these bunkers out here and can really take advantage of it, so I’m really excited to take on tomorrow and think it’ll be really good.

We’ve played together a few times now. In the beginning was comforting to have him playing in the same tournament. In the middle it was more pressure cos I want to beat him, and then I finally beat him and now I’m just playing golf. We look at the rankings to see how each other are playing.

My goal is to play my way into the Web.com Finals. I want to try and see if I can get myself a Web.com card – that’s my goal. I think it’s possible to do it, I’ve seen a lot of guys in the last couple of years do it. It takes a lot of good golf.

The course’s amazing. I got here the first person I saw when I got to the course was Smylie Kaufman. He told me the greens were incredible, and I went straight to the putting green because professional golfers love nothing more than perfect greens. I started taking a few putts and it really incredible, some of the best greens I’ve putted on the long time. The Serapong course is beautiful, the skyline views and the ocean – it’s hard to beat, and it’s a really special place.

My advice to my dad is to drink a lot of water. That’s all I say.

Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn)

After the last tournament in Japan, the Japan series, I had a little bit of time off to relax. Before coming back here to Singapore I had two weeks of practising, trying to keep the motivation high. This is the second time I play in this tournament. The greens are superb, this is probably one of the best greens to play. I played well last year, and so I’m looking forward to playing well again this week.

Well, I’m now 100% recovered. Last year at around Spring time is when I started running, which is very important for golf, and I’m very fortunate to have recovered at this point.  At this point, nothing is set in stone, but my goal is to play good golf. Hopefully I can win some tournaments in Japan and maybe two or three more events. There’s also the Olympics in Japan next year, so I’d very much like to be there.

My driving is getting better. This is a good and challenging course for driving tee shots so if I can have a tee shot on the golf course it’s going to be very exciting for me. Very fortunate to have the opportunity to play with the world’s top players in this tournament. Very grateful to Asian Tour and Japan tour for this opportunity. For myself, I’m going into this as a challenger of the cup.

If I can get back to my best form this week, it’ll be fantastic. I’m getting better and better. I only peaked in the last month of my last season – it was a tough season for me. I couldn’t win but I felt something that I had lost for a couple of years, so I hope to get into that into that condition this week with the best players – Sergio, Paul, Matt and James. They’re all very good players and for Japanese players to watch them play is very rare. Japanese players are now getting into the European and PGA Tours so that’s a good sign for us.

This week is a huge opportunity for me and the other guys from Japan and I just want to make the best of out this competition.

Paul Casey (Eng)

I believe there has been a constant kind of curve on the way up in terms of how many guys we see playing world class golf from Asia now. It feels like it used to be just a number you could count on one hand, sort of key names. But its dozens of guys, and guys I’ve never heard of right behind them who are about to take our place. I’d love to see the numbers on it but it’s certainly been a swell, and it’s something the world has taken notice of.

They are competing all over now – there are multiple winners on the PGA tour, European Tour and Asian Tour so that’s why when the three of us come over here this week, we know how tough this is going to be this week. The depth of field, I think that certain thing you see. You see the great players playing world golf but it’s now very deep as well. I don’t think we could honestly say that a decade ago. The depth wasn’t there but it is now. I was not quite as sharp as I would like to have been. But that does not have much bearing on what this week is going to bring. This is a golf course that I remember really thoroughly enjoying playing and (has) the types of grass I like to play on. I recall it being very windy so touch wood it is not going to be that way this week.

Sergio Garcia (Esp)

It feels good to be back. It is a course I love playing, a wonderful golf course, and to be here as champion is always special. It was a good off season. A little bit of rest – which was nice after a very hectic year – and I started practicing a couple of weeks ago. There is still a little bit of rust in there but hopefully I will get it off in this heat. We’ve been talking about it for a while now. Every year, you see more and more great Asian players coming out.

Youngsters are coming out to play at the highest level and they’re doing well. I think probably one of the biggest ones right now is Li Haotong. There’s a good group of young Asian players out there, such as Hideki Matsuyama and some Koreans. So you can see that the level is growing every year. Things are being done the right way here in this part of the world and when it comes to golf, you can see the effects.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng)

The course is in fantastic condition and I am really looking forward to the week. I got back to work after the off season and have been practicing for five weeks straight trying to get into shape so I can compete with these guys (Garcia and Casey) a little bit more. I have not played too much in Asia but I have played two EurAsia Cups. The first year we went with a really strong team and we played really well, that was in 2016. We won fairly convincingly. Two years later, I would say we went with a stronger team and we almost got beaten. That shows as well -we had some of the 10 best players in Asia against 10 in Europe, and it was certainly tough at the start last year and that definitely shows that the standard is coming up.

Danthai Boonma (Tha)

I like this golf course a lot and I like Singapore too. I’m hoping to repeat what I’ve done from last year and maybe do even better. I know what is needed to improve my flaws and my game in general. Putting will be the key for me this week and I’ve been working hard on that. I have a house in Hua Hin and that was where I spent most of my time with my friends and family during the short break we had. My goal for this year is to finish inside the top-10 on the Order of Merit.

By Anthony Kang, three-time Asian Tour winner and golf commentator

Singapore, January 16: The 53rd SMBC Singapore Open kicks off a brand new season on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) this week.  The award winning Sentosa Golf Club will host the national open of the city state for the 12th consecutive time.  Here is a look at some of the top players in the field.

Sergio Garcia

After a decisive victory last year, winning by five strokes, Garcia had a turbulent span in the middle of the season where he missed seven cuts in an 18-week stretch.  With a captain’s pick from Thomas Bjorn for the Ryder Cup, the 2017 Masters champion has reignited the tail end of 2018 where, in his final five events, he compiled a cumulative score of -60 and finished no worse than tied ninth including a win at Valderrama.

A confident Garcia is dangerous for the rest of the field as evidenced by his finish in 2018 at the beastly Serapong course.  He displayed unmatched exactitude in ball striking especially in his final 45 holes, where he putted for birdie 43 times and his tee ball found 31 fairways of 35.  The defending champion’s 72 hole mark of -14 is the lowest score, when all four rounds are contested solely on the Serapong course, at the Singapore Open.

Paul Casey

Consistent Casey has progressed to weekend play in 54 of his past 58 starts worldwide in a two and a half year period.  The average placing, in those 54 made cut events, is a highly respectable 16th.  The Englishman boasts an intelligent iron game which ranked 13th or better in strokes gained approach-the-green on the PGA Tour for the past five years.  Coupled with the fact that he led proximity to the hole from 200 yards and longer for the 2018 PGA Tour season, averaging 42 feet 4 inches, the lengthy Serapong course fits the game of the 2018 Valspar Championship winner.

The average length of the 11 par fours at the Serapong course is 445 yards.  Add two par threes exceeding 200 yards and three par fives reachable in two shots, a player may face up to ten shots into the greens of over 200 yards.

Credited with two Asian Tour victories, the 41-year-old finished tied tenth in his lone previous start at the 2012 Singapore Open with scores of 68-73-68-69 for a six under 278.

Davis Love III

Time attenuates herculean athletes. Love III, a perennial power hitter, is no exception. In 2007, at the age of 43, the 21 time PGA Tour winner’s average driver clubhead speed registered an admirable 118.3 mph, ranked 23rd on PGA Tour that year and five-and-one-half mph over the Tour average.  Last year, at the age of 54, the speed declined to 110.9 mph, ranked 162nd while three-and-one-half mph slower than the average.  A 54 year old swinging the driver nearly at 111 mph is enviable but the 1994 PGA Tour distance leader regularly faces players that are younger than half his age and can hit 30 yards longer.

The 1997 PGA Championship winner announced his primary focus this week is attaining one of the four berths to the Open Championship where his last start came in 2012 at Royal Lytham, ending a streak of 26 consecutive starts at the oldest major championship.

Love III soars into Singapore after a seventh place finish last week at the Sony Open in Hawaii for his first top ten finish in 17 months.

Matthew Fitzpatrick

The 2013 US Amateur champion first entered the top 50 of the official world golf rankings three years and two months ago at the age of 21 and has remained inside the golden mark of professional golf for all but two weeks, a remarkable achievement considering he does not possess a power game.  The five-time European Tour winner averaged nine-and-one-half yards shorter than the field average in Europe throughout 2018, however, his meticulous game mends well at the 7398 -ard Serapong course.

Length off the tee is a benefit but not a necessity at this imposing course, which requires accurate tee shots, precision play into the greens from 175-225 yards, and impeccable speed control on the gigantic greens, all of which are Fitzpatrick’s strengths.

His two wins in 2016, Nordea Masters and DP World Championship, were both held on golf courses in excess of 7,500 yards.

Shugo Imahira

The 2018 JGTO’s money list winner led the par four scoring on the Japan Tour for the second consecutive season.  Just Three players played the par fours under par for the entire 2018 season yet the five feet five inch Japanese bludgeoned the par fours to a score of -35 and a whopping 30 strokes better than the next best par-four performer.

The formidable collection of par fours at the Serapong course saw the field at last year’s Singapore Open average six and a half over par for the tournament.  Historically, when all four rounds are completed solely at the Serapong course, past winners have played the par fours nearly two under par for the week.

The 26-year-old arrives with a T33 at the Sony Open in Honolulu and makes his second start at the Singapore Open aiming to improve his T33 finish last year.

Ho Sung Choi

The contortionist disguised as a professional golfer, Choi enjoyed his finest year in 2018 by winning the Casio World Open seven weeks ago for his third career win en route to 10th  on the JGTO’s money list, eclipsing his previous best of 34th in 2013.  The Korean topped the putting category in Japan by averaging 28.1 putts per round in 2018 but due to his inconsistent ball striking, had a scoring average of 71.16, although a personal best.

Fans and players alike will root for the 45-year-old to sparkle in Singapore but he needs to be sharp from the tee and into the greens to take advantage of his skillful putting.  The exacting Serapong golf course has not been kind to Ho Sung where he had missed the cut in four previous starts averaging 73.33 with a best score of even par 71.

Chapchai Nirat

In the 11 previous stagings of the Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club, Nirat is the only player to have led or co-led at the end of each of the first three rounds.  Chapchai, nicknamed ‘king kong,’ climbed to the top of the leader board after the first round in 2005 and 2012, co-led after round two in 2018, and held the 54 hole lead in 2008.

Although the Thai’s best finish upon 72 holes is tied seventh in 2008 and 2016, his affinity for this venue on Sentosa island cannot be overlooked as the four-time Asian Tour champion has produced eight top 25 finishes.

January 16: Golf fans who sit on the couch watching golf on TV boasting they could play a better shot than the professionals will have their chance to prove it at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth with the launch of Beat the Pro.

Making its Australian debut at the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour tri-sanctioned tournament, Beat the Pro provides a whole new level of inside the ropes access for golf fans.

Taking place on Saturday February 16, during the third round, up to 20 lucky fans will tee off against the pros on the par-3 12th hole at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club for their chance to win $1000 worth of golf products.

An initiative launched on the European Tour in 2016, Beat the Pro sees an amateur contestant aligned with each group of professionals in the field. After the professionals have teed off on the par-three hole, the amateur has one shot to try and beat the pros in a nearest the pin competition.

Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, believes introducing the Beat the Pro competition is a fantastic way to get fans involved with the innovative Perth-based tournament.

“We have seen the success of Beat the Pro on the European Tour and the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth is the perfect tournament for its Australasian launch,” said Kirkman.

“The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth is driving innovation in Australian golf and the introduction of Beat the Pro is another initiative instigated by the PGA to modernise the fan experience at Aussie tournaments.

“We want to keep evolving and growing the game and engaging fans in a competition like Beat the Pro fits the bill perfectly.”

Fans will have the chance to line up against some of the world’s best pros including Belgian Thomas Pieters, Australian Lucas Herbert, New Zealander Ryan Fox, Englishman Tom Lewis, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda and Spaniard Jorge Campillo.

The initiative, which is open to golfers of all ages with an official handicap of 18 or less, including juniors, has already garnered the attention and support of professional golfers.

“This is such a cool competition. I have seen it in action on the European Tour and the fans love it, it’s awesome that the PGA is introducing it at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth,” said Lucas Herbert, who will spend 2019 competing on the European Tour.

“I think back to when I was a kid and the chance to go head-to-head with Pros I usually watched on TV, at an actual tournament would have been better than Christmas.

“But if an amateur is up against me on the 12th hole on Saturday of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, they had better bring their A-game if they want to beat me! I am super competitive so they are going to have to hit a good shot, I won’t be going easy on them,” added Herbert, with a grin.

The Beat the Pro competition was first played on the European Tour at the KLM Open in The Netherlands in 2016.

Golf fanatics of all ages are encouraged to enter via the form on the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth website, where fans must tell the PGA why they could Beat a Pro in 25 words or less.

Ends.

January 16: Geoff Ogilvy, former US Open champion and winner of three World Golf Championships, has confirmed he will compete in the 100th New Zealand Open in Queenstown next month.

Once ranked as high as number three in the world, the 41-year-old Australian will compete in the New Zealand Open for just the second time. The opportunity to play at The Hills and Millbrook Resorts from 28 February to 3 March comes off the back of Ogilvy’s decision to relocate his family back to Melbourne after two decades based in the USA.

“The New Zealand Open is seen by golfers internationally as a fantastic tournament. They say Queenstown is the prettiest place in the world – I’ve never been there so I can’t wait. Professional golf can put you in a box and when you play in the US it’s just easier to stay there. It hasn’t really been possible to compete in the New Zealand Open – but it is now and I couldn’t be more excited,” says Ogilvy.

Ogilvy has won 12 times as a professional including eight occasions on the PGA Tour, culminating in his victory at the US Open in 2006. He was 4th in the 2011 Masters, 5th in the British Open in 2005 and 6th in the PGA Championships twice. Overall, he spent two and a half years in the top-ten world rankings.

“We are delighted to attract someone of Geoff’s calibre to this event,” says Tournament Director Michael Glading.

“For two decades he has been one of Australia’s most successful players in Europe and on the PGA Tour. We are confident he will enjoy the experiences on and off the golf course in Queenstown. Geoff is a student of the game and I know he is mindful of the great players from his homeland who have left such an indelible mark on the New Zealand Open Championship in the past,” he says.

Ogilvy is quick to say, however, that he is not just coming to make up the numbers.

“The older you get, the more things like National Opens take pride of place on your resume. Tournaments like the New Zealand Open stand the test of time.”

With its long history, the New Zealand Open is rightly proud of its reputation for attracting elite, international golf professionals such as Ogilvy to compete in this world-class tournament.

“I knew Peter Thomson very well – a real legend who has won this tournament many times. I’ve also had the privilege to play a lot over the years with New Zealanders like Cambo and Phil Tataurangi,” he says.

Ogilvy competed at the 1999 New Zealand Open at Formosa but it is not how he wants to be remembered: “The wind blew 100 miles an hour, it was my last tournament after nine in a row and it was one tournament too far. I didn’t make the cut – so let’s call this my first time properly at a New Zealand Open,” he jokes.

While he is looking forward to the Open, he is unsure how much golf he will play in 2019 as his next few years will be dedicated more to his three children.

“I am done playing 26 to 30 tournaments a year at least for the next few years. If I play well, then absolutely I will likely play a bit more but if I don’t, then I’ll focus more on my golf architecture business and my media work. It is an exciting period but I will always be a professional golfer. I am always going to play a few tournaments every year,” he says.

For now, his sights are set firmly on the 100th New Zealand Open next month: “To win would be amazingly special. I’m definitely coming to try and make that happen.”

Ogilvy will compete for the 2019 New Zealand Open Title and $1.3 million prize pool in a field of 152 professionals. Simultaneously, a pairing of one professional and one amateur will play a best-ball format for the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship, making it a unique event within the Asia-Pacific region. The event is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 15: The name Hosung Choi is one that has captured the imagination of the social media world by storm.

Possessing one of golf’s wackiest and unconventional swings, the world has fallen so much in love with the Korean that there is even an online petition to get him an invitation to play at the Waste Management Phoenix Open which starts in the United States in a fortnight.

Choi is certainly not a circus act as his win at the Casio World Open in Japan propelled him into the top-200 on the Official World Golf Ranking last year. Earlier today, he received a sponsor invite to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February where he will make his PGA Tour debut.

We caught up with the 45-year-old who returns to Singapore for the SMBC Singapore Open this week to find out more about the man whom everyone has now come to know.

Q. There has been a chorus of voice championing for you to tee up at the Waste Management Phoenix Open so that fans can watch you live in action. Were you expecting a reaction as huge as this?

A. I’m really grateful and honoured I’ve got so many fans watching me from all over the world, especially in the United States now. I’m just an ordinary guy who happens to play golf for a living.

Q.  Your swing has been dubbed ‘The Fisherman Swing’. How did you get associated with this fishy business?

A. I need to survive! You know there are so many younger players who can hit the ball so much further and longer nowadays. I have to compete against them and I have to do something about my swing. So basically my swing is a self-taught one which I’ve adapted and constantly working on for optimum distance.

Q. But why ‘The Fisherman’?

A. There was a photographer from Golf Digest in Japan who has been following me at various tournaments for a long time. Each time he edits his photos of me, he had to think of a caption. Then he thought my swing reminds him of how a fisherman would throw his hook to get his catch and decided to call it that.

Q. And you are a social media celebrity now.

A. Yes! I’m still trying to adjust to this new-found status (laughs). I’m happy I’m able to provide the golf fans with so much entertainment and joy especially when it comes to watching me play.

Q. Do you think you can get your prized catch with the SMBC Singapore Open title this week?

A. I hope so! Serapong course is a long and demanding one. But with my swing now, I gain a little more distance and accuracy.

Q. Any hopes of getting your boys to become a professional golfer like you?

A. No. They are more interested in becoming musicians! Hopefully they can be as entertaining as me!

Ends.

By Olle Nordberg, founder of golf equipment survey company, Northmountain International

With the Asian Tour season opener coming up this week with the SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course, there are a lot of players looking forward to a fresh season. Some will be aiming for a breakthrough and a first win, while others will be trying to build on results from 2018, make an early move to the top of the Habitat for Humanity Standings, and improve their ranking on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).

Also, a very big deal this week is an opportunity to book an early ticket to the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, as there are spots up for grabs for the top four players not already exempt.

Two of the best young players on the Asian Tour that have a good chance for a great season and a ticket to The Open based on recent form and past performances in this event are 23-year-old Jazz Janewattanond of Thailand and 24-year-old Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines. Both had strong finishes to the 2018 Asian Tour season and will be trying to continue the good form.

Jazz managed to clinch one of these spots in 2018 by finishing tied-fourth at Sentosa. He also had a good finish in 2016 where he was tied-11th. He is also one of the hottest players in the region at the moment; in his last two Asian Tour events, he finished third at the Queen’s Cup Hosted by Jaidee Foundation and second at the BNI Indonesian Masters. He won all his four matches at the mixed Ryder Cup-style Friendship Cup between Thailand and Japan in late December, and he finished lone fifth at last week’s Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on the Asian Development Tour.

Jazz was ranked 121st on the OWGR before last week’s event, a career-high position, and a victory at last week’s event could have seen Jazz move into the top 100. He still picked up 2.4 points by finishing 5th and moved up to a new high of 111th on this week’s updated ranking list. Any positions gained could be very useful to get a start in the U.S. PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in New York, which will be played in May this year. The top-100 on the OWGR at a later cutoff date should gain entry into this Major. Last year, we saw Justin Harding playing his way into the top-100 and the PGA Championship by winning in Indonesia and Thailand in consecutive starts on the Asian Tour.

Tabuena, who is currently ranked 208th on the OWGR, had a close call with a tied-eighth finish last year missing his chance for an Open Championship spot by a couple of shots. Had the event been part of the Open Qualifying Series in 2016 when he finished tied-fourth, he would have secured a ticket to Royal Troon then. He recently won the Queen’s Cup Hosted by Jaidee Foundation in late November, where he birdied four out of the last six holes for a closing four-under-par 66 to beat Johannes Veerman by one shot and Jazz by two shots.

The Serapong Course is a long and demanding course and playing as a par 71 at 7,398 yards, it is a big challenge for even the best players in the world as we can see from recent history.

Sergio Garcia of Spain

Last year Sergio Garcia won by dominating the field by coming in at or near the top in several of the most important statistical categories. Garcia ranked first in driving distance with an average of 320 yards off the tee, with a driving accuracy of 78.5 per cent (ranked fourth in the tournament). He was ranked first in greens in regulation (GIR) with an average of 90.28 per cent for the week and his putts per GIR was also a very respectable 1.78. I think it is safe to say that these numbers would leave you at the top of most leaderboards anywhere in the world.

However, if we expand the data to include the top-10 finishers during the last three years, what does it take to have a chance to win this event on Sunday afternoon?

One of the categories that stand out is scrambling. Being as long and difficult as the Serapong is, it is inevitable that players will miss a fair number of greens even when playing well. The difference in having a chance to win or getting a top-10 compared to finishing in the middle of the pack might be how well you scramble, or in other words get the ball up-and-down when you miss the green.

Miguel was ranked first in this category in 2016, and with a superb scrambling percentage of 84.63 per cent that helped him to a tied-fourth finish, three shots behind the winner Younghan Song. In 2018 when Tabuena finished tied-eighth in the event, he had a 69.83 scrambling percentage that ranked him sixth for the week which is still very good. Being ranked seventh in driving distance with 304 yards, seventh in driving accuracy with 76.79 per cent and third in GIR with 81.94 per cent last year didn’t exactly hurt him either and is a testament to Tabuena having a very solid swing and overall game.

Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines

Miguel’s scrambling clubs as of the final event in 2018 in Jakarta consisted of Callaway’s MD3 50* bent to 51* with 12* bounce and MD4 58* bent to 59* wedges with 8* bounce. Since he plays with a driver, 3-wood, 5-wood and 3-P Irons, it doesn’t leave any room for an extra wedge. A very traditional setup.

Jazz’s tied-fourth finish in Singapore last year was helped in part by his eighth ranking in scrambling, a category in which he also finished sixth among regular Asian Tour players for the full 2018 season. He also ranked 10th in GIR last year at this event, and high marks in GIR and scrambling is a very useful combo for a good overall result. While he arguably has one of the best swings and most complete games on the Asian Tour, his short game ability and soft hands should not be underestimated.

His wedge setup in Jakarta included all Titleist Vokey Designs, with an SM7 50* F-Grind, SM7 54* M-Grind, and a Vokey Prototype 60* T-Grind. In addition to the driver he uses a 3-wood, 5-wood, a 4 utility iron and 5-P Irons, so he had room for an extra wedge.

The full bag is mixed with equipment from four different manufacturers, following in the footsteps of players like Brooks Koepka and Paul Casey choosing to select clubs individually instead of going for only one manufacturer’s gear.

With a field that includes some of the best players in the world like defending champion Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Matt Fitzpatrick, along with the top players from the Asian Tour and Japan Tour, the SMBC Singapore Open will be a very exciting start to the 2019 Asian Tour season.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 14: Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang was visibly disappointed after missing out on his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School last month. But the SMBC Singapore Open will give the 31-year-old another opportunity to redeem himself again when it tees off on Thursday.

Ahead of the Singapore showpiece where he finished tied-16th last year, Choo talks about the joy of playing on home soil, his closest friends on Tour and how he is hoping to turn disappointment into success.

By Choo Tze Huang

“It’s always good to be playing at home. It’s fun. It’s good to be sleeping on your own bed and waking up in the morning and coming to play in such a prestigious event like this.

I made the cut a few times but last year, I had my best performance at the Singapore Open with a tied-16th place finish. I feel good when I come out here again. Hopefully I can bring back some good vibes this year and keep it going.

It was definitely disappointing to miss out on my Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School two weeks ago. It took me a couple of days to get over that. It was a bit painful but it kind of motivates me to work harder now.

I know my game is going the right direction so it’s just going to push me harder and I will keep moving forward. I’ll take the positives, work on what I am weak in and take it day by day this week and try to get a good year going.

I’ve been talking about a breakthrough for a couple of years now so I am just waiting for that. It has a lot to do with my mental game and some parts of my game need improvement of course. I just need to keep working on that and see if that breakthrough comes along.

I usually take my non-Singaporean friends out for chicken rice or steamboat when they are in Singapore. If they are new to Singapore, then definitely chicken rice!

There are a lot of nice and fun places to go all around Singapore I believe. Singapore is a very safe city with a lot of nice cafes and restaurants around.

Sentosa itself is a good attraction or Orchard Road downtown which is good too.

We are all pretty close. Just having each other around, practicing together and pushing each other, that’s what we look for every week, whether or not we are at home or not. I room a lot with Koh Deng Shan and Danny Chia. I’ve learnt a lot from Danny. He gives me a lot of advice.

He has helped me a lot over the years. He always give me advice on course management and all.

He is very successful himself and I enjoy practicing with him.

Ends.