Sentosa, Singapore, January 11: The SMBC Singapore Open will raise the curtains for the 2019 Asian Tour season at the Sentosa Golf Club, which is also the Home of the Asian Tour next week.

A stellar 156-man field from the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) is expected to lock horns with a host of other star players that include defending champion Sergio Garcia from Spain, American great Davis Love III, the World Golf Hall of Famer, Englishmen Paul Casey and Matthew Fitzpatrick from January 17-20.

The US$1 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and JGTO, continues to be part of The Open Qualifying Series for the third consecutive year with the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties earning their places at the 148th Open in July.

Poom Saksansin of Thailand

Thailand’s Poom Saksansin is looking forward to pick up where he left off after closing his 2018 Asian Tour season in style by winning the Tour’s season-finale in Jakarta last December.

“I feel very happy that I was able to win again, I didn’t expect it and I just played my game. Hopefully I can carry on this momentum,” said Poom.

The 25-year-old Thai, dubbed ‘The Assassin’ for his high-profile defeats of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey on the Asian Tour last year, will be hoping to play to his strengths when he tackles the demanding Serapong course next week.

“Sentosa is very tough. It’s long for me because I don’t hit it very far so I have to rely on my short game and smart play. The greens are fast and very firm. I will need to work on hitting my iron shots high onto those greens.

“Last year I felt like I played really well. There were no huge mistakes and I finished tied-12th,” said Poom.

With Casey confirming his place at the Singapore showpiece again for the first time since 2012, Poom is relishing the opportunity to claim another scalp over the Englishman.

“I beat Paul at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last year but I think I was lucky,” laughed Poom. “I’ve to admit I do get a little star struck or nervous when I play against them. But after hitting my first shot, I’m okay. I observe them and try to see how I can model certain aspects of my game like them. But apart from that, I always try to stay patient and take advantage of the stronger points in my game.”

53 Tour champions, including five Asian Tour Order of Merit champions will be part of the elite field vying for top honours.

Notable players in the field include South Africa’s Justin Harding, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who finished in third, fifth and ninth place respectively on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2018.

Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa together with compatriot Shugo Imahira will further fan the crowd’s interest at the SMBC Singapore Open.

Imahira topped the money list on the JGTO last year and will be making his debut at the Masters Tournament in April after accepting a special invitation extended to him.

Ends.

By John Crean

Fans are in for a huge treat at this month’s SMBC Singapore Open with the appearance of Ho-sung Choi, the player with one of the wackiest swings in golf.

Choi took social media by storm with his swagger during the Kolon Korea Open last June where he was halfway leader before finishing tied fifth.

Highlight reels from the tournament showed his much accentuated follow through, replete with pirouettes and urgings to his ball in flight.

? ‘Fisherman’ Choi going for his biggest catch this week. #KolonKoreaOpen #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/m5YpB5VUvJ

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) June 23, 2018

The 45-year-old Korean underlined that he is more than just a showman with victory in the Casio World Open on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) last November.

His 10th place finish on the JGTO moneylist guaranteed him a spot in the SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club from January 17-20. The tournament, which will feature defending champion Sergio Garcia of Spain and fellow Ryder Cup star Paul Casey of England, is joint sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the JGTO.

Choi, whose swing has been dubbed the ‘craziest’ in golf, has been featured on the Golf Channel, which analysed his game, while Golf Digest and other publications have written about him extensively.

A recent report said that a petition has been started to get the so called “most exciting man in golf” an invitation to the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour.

The teacher who started the petition wrote that the tournament needed “the greatest showman in the game”.

While Choi is a bit of an overnight sensation to a worldwide audience, he has been about the Asian golf scene for many years and won his first JGTO title at the 2013 Indonesia PGA Championship.

Since his ‘fisherman’s swing’ garnered global attention last year, Choi seems to have added a few more twirls to his follow through.

Spectators can judge for themselves at the SMBC Singapore Open.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 2: Paul Casey, one of the game of golf’s in-form players last year, will make the SMBC Singapore Open one of his opening events in 2019.

The Englishman, a star of the European team that claimed the Ryder Cup in September, has announced that after competing in Hawaii on the PGA Tour he will head to the SMBC Singapore Open – to be played at Sentosa Golf Club from January 17 to 20.

He will join a high-profile list of players in Singapore that includes defending champion Sergio Garcia from Spain, American great Davis Love III, the World Golf Hall of Famer, Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, one of the game’s rising stars, and the best players from the Asian and Japan Tours.

Casey played in Singapore’s national Open in 2012 – finishing in a tie for 10th – and is looking forward to returning to Sentosa, home of the tournament since 2005.

Casey also represented Europe for the first time in nine years after being selected as a wildcard for the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia in 2018.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to make as I have fond memories of the Singapore Open and Sentosa Golf Club,” said Casey, who is world ranked 22.

“I played well there in 2012 and I was impressed by the golf course and the overall set up. It is an ideal event for me to start the year and it will be a very good test early on in the year.”

A prolific winner on the European Tour with 13 titles, Casey returned to the winner’s circle last year after triumphing at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

The 41-year-old was a Captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup and justified his selection by securing one and a half points for his team – including a brilliant half in the singles against world number one Brooks Koepka.

He was one of the world’s most consistent players in 2018, achieving 12 top-20 finishes, including five top-10s in addition to his victory at the Valspar Championship. He has also remained a regular fixture inside the world’s top-25 since 2016.

The Englishman is no stranger to winning in Asia having claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea in 2011 and the Volvo China Open and TCL Classic, also in China, both in 2005.

Hua Hin, Thailand, December 30: Austen Truslow of the United States topped the class when he signed off his marathon week with a closing six-under-par 65 to secure his Tour card at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Sunday.

Truslow was also the leading player to progress from the first stage last week and impressed many with his one-hand dexterity at chipping as he wrapped up his week with a five-day total of 24-under-par 331.

Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand

Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul also completed an unforgettable week at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club as he carded the lowest score of the day with a 61 to finish in second place.

India’s Aadil Bebi, who was the youngest player to tee up in the Final Stage, showed his mental toughness by posting a 63 to end the week tied for ninth.

Despite learning about the loss of a close friend who was involved in a fatal traffic accident at the start of the week, the 17-year-old displayed maturity beyond his years by staying focused to earn his playing rights for the 2019 Asian Tour season.

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and China’s Jin Cheng will meanwhile give up their amateur status after emerging as the top-35 and ties players to earn their Tour cards after five rounds.

The pair will be hoping to carry forward their distinguished amateur record as they start their early professional careers on the Asian Tour.

Did you know?

• Austen Truslow topped the Section B last week to earn a spot in the Final Stage of Qualifying School.
• Under the influence of his father, Austen Truslow got interested in golf when he was four and he lives in Florida.
• Earlier in the week, Truslow carded his first ace during the second round. His hole-in-one was the first he has made in his professional career and it came courtesy of his six-iron from 196 yards on the 16th hole.
• Gunn Charoenkul’s last appearance at the Qualifying School was in 2017. He did not progress after two rounds.
• Gunn’s finest performance at a tournament on the Asian Tour so far was at the 2016 Queen’s Cup, where he finished in second place.
• He finished a career-high 32nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2012. With that, he earned full playing rights on Tour the following season.
• Aadil Bedi started practising and learning the initial strokes of golf when he was just four years old.
• Throughout his 13-year amateur career, Bedi has won 171 Medals and trophies. He has also represented India in all the Elite and Major Amateur matches of the world including Asian games, British Amateur, the Australian Masters of Amateur, Singapore Amateur and Eisenhower Cup, Ireland.
• Bedi represented India as an amateur at the 2018 Asian Games. He led the field for the first three days but eventually missed out on a podium finish on the final day, finishing in 13th place.
• He got an invitation to play at the Asian Development Tour (ADT) season-ender last month where he finished tied-12th at the PGM Maybank ADT Championship.
• Bedi’s best result as a professional came at the Bengaluru Open on the PGTI where he finished third a fortnight ago.
• Sadom Kaewkanjana played in four Asian Tour tournaments in 2018 as an amateur. Most notably, he finished credibly in tied-sixth at the Queen’s Cup presented by Bangchak.
• He enjoyed a successful 2018 on the amateur circuit, winning five tournaments.
• Sadom was part of the victorious Team Thailand who won the Amata Friendship Cup against Japan last week.
• Jin Cheng is the first amateur golfer to win on the PGA Tour China Series. He achieved the feat in 2014.
• He won the 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The victory also earned him a spot at the 2016 Masters Tournament.

Players’ Quotes

Austen Truslow (Usa) – Fifth round 65 (-6), total 331 (-24)

I’m not going to cry. For the past four years, I haven’t got on Tour before. My goal when I was 18 was to get on Tour by age 22 and the Asian Tour Qualifying School was the last time to do it. It’s been a good week. I finally have a place to play full time. I felt that my game is good enough once I get out there, but I haven’t done well in qualifying. Now that I have a card, I can loosen and show my consistency. I started chipping with one hand over a year ago. I didn’t chip great this week, but it was still a lot better than chipping with two hands. I don’t chip with one hand every single time, but 80 per cent of the time. I didn’t go out and win today. I just wanted a good round as it’ll give me my status on Tour. I finished well, and I kind of lucked into the win today.

Gunn Charoenkul (Tha) – Fifth round 61 (-10), total 332 (-23)

59 was playing on my mind today I’d have to admit! After nine holes, I got a little nervous. At the start of the round, I said to myself that it’ll be a bonus if I can get under par. I struck it well shot after shot and I felt that I couldn’t miss. After the turn, I got nervous and I got a little hiccup on 10th, where I hit it into the hazard but still managed to make par. I kept going and on 15th, I put it on the back of my head that I couldn’t do it (break 60). I’ll have to change my schedule after earning an Asian Tour card!

Aadil Bedi (Ind) – Fifth round 63 (-8), total 339 (-16)

I lost a dear friend on the first day, back home. It was tough mentally, but I managed to play well and I’m glad that it has all come together. I have that believe in myself and that I have the game to earn the card. Now that I’ve earned the card, there’s more purpose in my practice and I’ll be definitely looking forward to the tournaments that I get to play. It was difficult to focus at times. When there are long waits between holes, or between rounds at night, I think about my friend. But, it was a good week. I’ve played really solid in all parts of my game.

Sadom Kaewkanjana (a) (Tha) – Fifth round 65 (-6), total 340 (-15)

I’m very excited and happy to earn my card. I’m looking to turn professional after this event and in 2019, I hope to retain my playing rights for the next season. I won the Nomura Cup as part of the Thailand team, the first time in the history of Thai golf. In the SEA Games, I won team silver.

Jin Cheng (a) (Chn) – Fifth round 68 (-3), total 343 (-12)

I’m still maintaining my amateur status, at least until June. I don’t have anything much planned, as I have school until June and I’m looking to play the National Championship. Until then, we’ll see how it goes. I started the game when I was eight and I was influenced by my dad. I lived in Singapore during my secondary school years, and I got recruited by U.S. Colleges and now I’m at USC (University of Southern California), in my third year there. I will eventually turn professional, and the Asian Tour will be an ideal platform for me.

See the full results, here.

Ends.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Hua Hin, Thailand, December 29: Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong dream run continued as he signed for a six-under-par 65 to stand on the brink of securing his playing rights for the 2019 season at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Saturday.

The fourth round was also lit up by Thailand’s Naras Luangphetcharaporn, who was staring at another elimination from Qualifying School until his record-breaking 59 lifted him to a share of 36th place.

Despite going through a marathon week which saw 242 players at the start of the final stage vying to finish inside the top-35 and ties through five rounds, Poom was not feeling the effects of any fatigue. Instead, he is raring to get the job done as he leads the class with his four-day total of 20-under-par 264.

Zach Murray of Australia

Australia’s Zach Murray is also ready to add another feather to his cap in his fledgling professional career as he is among the leading 70 players and ties to have made it into the all-important ultimate round on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Australian only turned professional last month but is already showing an early potential of his prolific form which has led him to be ranked as high as 19th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul is closer to earning his card for the first time in five attempts at Qualifying School as he blazed his way around the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club with rounds of 69, 68, 67 and 67 to tie with China’s Xiao Bowen in seventh place.

Unheralded Veer Ahlawat of India is also ready to join his more illustrious compatriots on the Asian Tour after posting a 68 which saw him share 18th place with Korea’s Kisang Lee.

Did you know?

• Poom Pattaropong graduated from James Madison University in the United States last December. He plied his trade on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) since missing the mark at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January.
• He enjoyed a particular good run of form from August to October, notching four top-fives in six starts on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
• Poom was in the seven play-off hole duel against Miguel Carballo at the ADT Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August. He eventually finished tied-second behind Carballo.
• He eventually finished in 15th on the 2018 ADT Order of Merit.
• Zach Murray won the Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open (an event on the PGA Tour of Australasia) as an amateur golfer.
• He made his professional debut at the Australian Open in November 2018.
• Murray was ranked as high as 19th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
• Gunn Charoenkul’s last appearance at the Qualifying School was in 2017. He did not progress after two rounds.
• Gunn’s finest performance at a tournament on the Asian Tour so far was at the 2016 Queen’s Cup, where he finished in second place.
• He finished a career-high 32nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2012. With that, he earned full playing rights on Tour the following season.
• Clyde Mondilla earned a top-10 finish once on the Asian Tour, at the 2014 Solaire Open
• He last played at the 2016 Qualifying School. However, he was eliminated after two rounds in the Final Stage.
• The Filipino has notched five top-10s in 14 starts on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) from 2012 to 2016.

Players’ Quotes

Poom Pattaropong (Tha)- Fourth round 65 (-6), Total 264 (-20)

I just have to keep calm and continue to have fun. If I have to pick one thing solid about my game this week, it would have to be my putting. I’m feeling fine, not tired and the weather’s great. I just have been drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated. It would the world to me if I can get my Tour card as I did not expect to play this well at all. I didn’t have a goal and this is well beyond my expectations.

Zach Murray (Aus) – Fourth round 67 (-4), Total 199 (-14)

I never really thought about earning an Asian Tour card, to be honest. I was just trying to score as many birdies as I can. I’m playing well, and I’m going to get a good rest before the final round tomorrow.

Things can change in the blink of an eye in the professional game, so you just got to make the most of it while you can. I think my attitude towards golf at the moment is pretty relaxed. I’m enjoying my game and not thinking about too much else. I’m glad to be fit, healthy and playing golf.

Gunn Charoenkul (Tha) Fourth round 67 (-4), Total 271 (-13)

It has been a while coming back to play on the Asian Tour and I want to get back on Tour again. I went to a lot of qualifying schools this year including Japan and lots of Monday qualifiers. I sort of get the feel of the kind of emotions and attitude I should have when playing Q school now. I struggled a lot at Qualifying School on the Asian Tour. I’ve never made it into the top-35 before as I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself. I’ve learned how to manage myself better over the years. It was tough playing in China and Japan as there’s a lot of good players and every course is different. I got a few wins in China, but I didn’t concentrate on playing there the whole year. So, I didn’t get into the top-five. I’ve learnt I can improve myself a lot better mentally. I used to think I was not as good as the others out here and I didn’t perform to my full potential. But I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the years and hopefully, I can do it tomorrow.

Clyde Mondilla (Phi) Fourth round 68 (-3), Total 272 (-12)

It has been a very long week and I look forward to getting the job done tomorrow. I missed Christmas back home, but I guess these are the sacrifices you have to make if you want to become a successful professional golfer. My putting has been very sharp lately and hopefully I can get all the putts rolling into the hole tomorrow.

Veer Ahlawat (Ind) Fourth round 68 (-3), Total, 273 (-11)

I’m hitting it well and reading my putts right. I’m confident heading into the final round of Qualifying School.  This is my third attempt at Qualifying School. I’ll be looking to apply my experience and hopefully, earn a Tour card for the upcoming season. I turned professional three years ago. I have a few second-placed finishes on the PGTI (Professional Golf Tour of India), as well as a good number of top-10s.

Naras Luangphetcharaporn (Tha) Fourth round 59 (-12), Total 276 (-8)

I am very happy, as it is the lowest score recorded in my life. More importantly, the 59 helped me progress to Sunday. I shot a 78 in round three and I thought I have no chance to make the cut. What worked for me today was my consistency. I managed to get the same tempo on every shot.

I started golf since I was 14. Now, I’m 25 and I’m turning 26 next month. I turned professional in 2014. I haven’t won any tournament yet and this is my second time at the Qualifying School. The last time in 2016, I didn’t progress to the Final Stage.

Hua Hin, Thailand, December 28: England’s Chris Rodgers is enjoying life at the moment, but his insatiable thirst for competition has led him back to Qualifying School, where he has a shot of earning a Tour card for the 2019 season.

By Chris Rodgers

It feels great to be back here on the Asian Tour!

I started playing here in 2002 and Asia has always been a big part of my life.

My fondest memory was winning the 2006 Qualifying School and then winning the Pakistan Open in the same month. Emerging victorious at any tournament on any Tour opens so many doors and earning an exemption was just fantastic. Right now, I’m focusing on earning a Tour card for next year.

Golf is in me since I was very small. Losing my Tour card in 2014 obviously hurt, as competing on the Asian Tour formed a big part of my life, and it was not there anymore.

The good thing was that I could move back to the United Kingdom, nearer to my parents. I also earned a university degree, built up a business and did things outside golf. Although, I still love and play golf.

Speaking of which, I played some good golf back in England and won quite a number of tournaments. I kept myself fit and played a lot.

My real estate business kept me busy, but I managed my time well, which allowed me to play more golf. In my opinion, real estate is the art of finding the property. After that, the rest is relatively easy.

I’ve also done some coaching and gym training with clients. Life is pretty good at the moment.

Although, I love to compete, I love to travel and I love to come out to Asia. It is a lovely place; the culture, weather and people. The Asian Tour has a warm family environment and I really enjoyed being here. I hope to play well over the next two days.

Hua Hin, Thailand, December 27: After several years in the wildness and hitting rock bottom, Australia’s Rick Kulacz is slowly beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The two-time Asian Tour winner is among the 242 players who have made it through to the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School this week.

In this heartfelt blog from Lakeview resort and Golf Club, Kulacz opens up his love for the game and trying to regain his self-belief all over again.

By Rick Kulacz

“Life has been very rocky off the course at times but I think I’ve found some sort of a game the last two years to come back to the course and compete again. Everything just sort of spiralled out of control.

You try harder and harder and you dig a bigger hole for yourself until you basically hit rock bottom. You either find different ways of trying to play the game again or you give it away. I kept at it and tried different things and see what works and what didn’t.

I’m here now and looking forward to the rest of the week. I took a couple of part-time jobs, like doing some green keeping at Royal Perth, just a couple of days per week and I worked with my brother at a factory nearby just to get away from the game.

For about six months. I was still practicing, just to see if I still wanted to play golf. I came to the realisation that I still wanted to play, so I gave up those jobs and got back into the game again.

There were times when I wanted to quit but I never quite got that far as I still wanted to play at the back of my mind. It was always something inside me that kept me going.

You got to make a lot of birdies at Q school and try not to make big mistakes. I played pretty well today, I didn’t have a bogey which helps. It’s still a long way, five rounds in this heat and I still got another three rounds to go. So let’s see how it goes.”

Ends.

Hua Hin, Thailand, December 27: Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong topped the class by signing for a second round seven-under-par 64 to lead the field into the next round at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Thursday.

Sweden’s Christoffer Baumann along with Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Australia’s Zach Murray, who signed for matching 10-under-par 132 totals to be bunched in second place, are among the leading 140 players and ties who will continue their journey.

They will play another two more rounds before a further cut for the final round is made where only the leading 70 and ties players will feature on Sunday at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club.

At the conclusion of 90 holes, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked accordingly for the 2019 season.

Choo Tze Huang of Singapore

India’s Aman Raj and Korea’s Taewoo Kim together with Jeremy Wendelken and Austen Truslow of the United States will also continue their journey as they take fifth place with their 133 total.

Having missed out on his chance to secure his Asian Tour card earlier this year, Poom is relishing the opportunity of having another chance of doing so again this week.

The Thai believes his experience of playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) has prepared him well for the gruelling task ahead and is confident of rising to the occasion.

The second round of the Qualifying School saw two hole-in-ones being recorded on the par-three 16 where Baumann and Truslow enjoyed their moment of glory with their aces.

Did you know?

• Poom Pattaropong graduated from James Madison University in the United States last December. He plied his trade on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) since missing the mark at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January.
• He enjoyed a particular good run of form from August to October, notching four top-fives in six starts on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
• Poom was in the seven play-off hole duel against Miguel Carballo at the ADT Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August. He eventually finished tied-second behind Carballo.
• He eventually finished in 15th on the 2018 ADT Order of Merit.
• Aman Raj turned professional in 2016 and went on to top the class at the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Qualifying School in 2016.
• Raj won the Emerging Player of the year, with the highest earnings among all rookies during that season.
• Raj finished fifth at the 2018 Panasonic Open India, his best result so far on the Asian Tour.
• He was placed 107th on the 2018 Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.
• Austen Truslow topped the Section B last week to earn a spot in the Final Stage of Qualifying School.
• His ace on 16, which came courtesy of his six-iron from 196 yards, was the first hole-in-one he has made in his professional career.
• Jobim Carlos earned his first Tour card in 2016 via Qualifying School. However, he has only made the cut at one out of the seven tournaments he competed in.
• He was eliminated after two rounds of the 2018 Qualifying School.
• Carlos topped the 2018 Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit.
• Sean Kelly turned professional in 2016 and played two years on the PGA TOUR Canada and on the web.com last year.

Players’ Quotes

Poom Pattaropong (Tha) Second 64 (-7) Total 131 (-11)

I missed out on securing my Tour card earlier this year and hopefully I can get the job done in my second attempt this week. I learnt a lot about myself after that play-off loss to Miguel Carballo. I learnt a lot from Miguel that week and that was my best finish for the year. I took up golf when I was seven when my dad took me out to the range. I went to school in Australia when I was 13 and then to high school and college in the US. I came back last year, turned pro and played on the ADT. My greatest strength has definitely been my short game and I hope to use that to my advantage this week.

Christoffer Baumann (Swe) Second round 68 (-3), Total 132 (-10)

It was almost the same as yesterday. I did not get off to a good start but then I played better in my back-nine. I was struggling a bit with my iron shots but that hole-in-one really lifted me. I three-putted on 15 but got that hole-in-one on 16 which was a big help for me today. I aimed straight at the pin and this is my third hole-in-one. Actually I also made one at Q school two years ago and it’s nice to make another one this week.

Aman Raj (Ind) Second round 64 (-7) Total 133 (-9)

I’ve been playing decent golf and have been trying to score well, which I managed to do today. I just want to go with the flow and take whatever comes my way. It has been one of the best seasons since I turned professional. I finished sixth on the PGTI and I won my first professional tournament in Jaipur and also finished second in Bangalore. So it has been going pretty okay and it would be wonderful to top it all with an Asian Tour card this week. I’ve got a few starts on the Asian Tour and I hope to take all those experience and make the best use of it. I played a lot of junior golf with Shubhankar and I was happy to hang out with him in Jakarta recently. He has been playing so well and it’s really motivating to see him do well and follow likewise.

Austen Truslow (Usa) Second round 66 (-5), Total 133 (-9)

It was my first hole-in-one in a tournament and it’s really exciting. I hope that is a sign of good things to come. I didn’t score as well as I could have today. It could have been a much better round. I got three more rounds to go and it’s all about sticking to my routine and as long as I can do that, I should be okay.

Jobim Carlos (Phi) Second round 66 (-8), Total 134 (-8)

I played the par-three well and my irons were good today. I could have played the par-five better but overall, I’m happy with my round. Topping the local order of merit has shown how consistent I can be with my game throughout the year. I see that as a huge confidence boost heading into this week and next year. I got my Asian Tour card as an amateur in 2016 but I didn’t have a good season that year. But it feels good to know that I have done it before and I can do it again.

Sean Kelly (Usa) 69 (-2), Total round 134 (-8)

I’m happy as my caddie and I plotted our way around the course very well. It has been a great experience and this is my first trip to Asia. There’s a lot of new things happening and I’m happy with what’s trending so far. A friend of mine actually convinced me to come over and I thought why not? I know John Catlin and I’m trying to follow what he’s doing and get out there and play well.

Jakarta, Indonesia, December 12: Anthony Kang picks his top contenders at the BNI Indonesian Masters.

Justin Rose to the top in 2017. A repeat in 2018? 

Last year Justin Rose arrived ranked sixth in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).  In the previous seven tournaments leading up to this event, he amassed two wins and played them 91 under par.  His average finish was just inside the top five at 4.7.

This year Rose starts his defence as the second-ranked golfer in the world.  In the previous seven events prior to this week, he collected one win while being 85 under par.  His average finish has improved to just outside the top three at 3.3.

Difficult as it may be to predict another dominating performance similar to 2017, recording tournament records 29 under and a commanding eight-stroke winning margin, it is easy to pick Rose as an overwhelming favourite.

A top-15 finish will see Rose return to the pinnacle of the world golf rankings.  This marks the second occasion where the Indonesian Masters provides a springboard to the top of the world rankings.  Lee Westwood reclaimed the number one position in 2011 following his victory.

Iceman in Jakarta

Henrik Stenson, 2016 The Open champion, will display his outstanding ball striking.  Known by the moniker ‘Iceman,’ Stenson will keep cool by finding fairways, putting for birdies, and minimal mistakes.  He finished the 2017-2018 PGA Tour season as the best player in driving accuracy, greens in regulation, and bogey avoidance statistical categories.

The Swede enters this week with a fourth-place showing at the Hero World Challenge where he held the third-round co-lead with Tony Finau and John Rahm, the eventual champion.  Expect the Iceman to not melt in the heat of both contention and Jakarta.

A worthy consolation for second 

The contest for the Habitat for Humanity Standings champion may be over but the race has not run its full course for Sang Hyun Park and Justin Harding (pictured above).  A second-place finish on the money list will reward either player with a start at the WGC Mexico Championship and a valuable card on the European Tour in 2019.

The leading player available will earn playing rights in Europe, a provision of the alliance between the two Tours. Shubhankar Sharma already has a winner’s category on the second most lucrative tour and thus the playing status will be granted to the next highest ranked player.

Gavin Green, 2017 Habitat for Humanity Champion, played in 27 events on the European Tour in 2018 through this route, finishing 84th on the Race to Dubai.

Harding needs to finish solo second at a minimum to have a chance to overtake Park.

Magnolia Lane in Jakarta

Shugo Imahira’s objective is to earn the coveted invitation to The Masters next year.  Currently ranked 55th, the leading money winner on the Japan Tour in 2018 needs to finish the year inside the top-50 on the final 2018 OWGR in two weeks’ time.

The 26-year-old Imahira produced a brilliant season compiling ten top-four finishes including a win at the Bridgestone Open.  A solo second should elevate the 2-time Japan Tour winner inside the top-50 of the official world golf rankings through the end of this year.

Yusaku Miyazato and Kiradech Aphibarnrat earned an invitation to the iconic major championship through a fourth and fifth place finish respectively at the Asian Tour’s finale last year.

Last Chance Saloon

The 2018 Habitat for Humanity Standings will be finalized upon completion of the week and the race for inclusion inside the top-60 in the standings begins on Thursday.

Look no further than to Sihwan Kim, who occupies seventh place on the standings with a haul of over US$370,000, on the importance of earning a full card for the following year and the opportunities that come with it.  Last year, entering this event at 71st on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, the Korean American produced a tied sixth finish to end the year 55th on the final standings.  Fast forward a year, the 2004 U.S. Junior Amateur champion is in position to end the year inside the top 200 in the official world golf rankings for the first time since turning professional.

Without a top-60 finish, a year similar to Kim’s is a long shot at best.  The players near the 60th mark understand their predicament and tension will be escalated for many this week.