Jakarta, December 12: It has been a breakout year on the Asian Tour for South Africa’s Justin Harding. As the season draws to a close at the BNI Indonesian Masters this week, the South African pens his thoughts on what has been a truly amazing year for him in this latest blog from Jakarta.

By Justin Harding

It’s been quite a season for me. It’s almost gone like one full circle. It’s good to come back to Indonesia as I had success here at the Indonesia Open which sparked a solid run. It’s nice to come back to a place where I have played well at. I am just hoping to finish the year off with a good result this week, make some birdies and see what happens.

Winning in Indonesia was almost like a kick-starter to like everything. It obviously gave me more opportunities to play on the Asian Tour. I am loving every minute of it, like I said to those guys week in and week out. It’s been a great new experience for me. I have never been to any of these places. I have pretty happy with the way my game has adapted to how golf should be played here in Asia. I have got a better understanding of all the grasses as well. I think my game, in general, has become a lot stronger because of this.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that as professional golfers ourselves, we have to try and push ourselves to get to the next level. The Sunshine Tour is a great Tour itself. I have had great success over there and there are a lot of good players, young and old, who have come out from there and play well on the main Tours around the world. Coming to Asia I thought was a great opportunity for me to learn. It has been an unbelievable experience and I am looking forward to see what 2019 brings.

I don’t eat quite as much in Asia compared to when I am in South Africa. It’s all pretty good. The only thing about travelling for tournaments on Tour is that you don’t get much sightseeing done. It’s usually between hotel and golf courses. I haven’t really had the opportunity to do sightseeing. It’s been too many places that we go to. I may not go home quite as much as I did this year if I were to play more in Asia next year. I haven’t been to Bali yet. I heard it’s spectacular and I am actually planning to go there next week!

It’s been a great experience. I can’t really complain. I am just enjoying the rewards now. I have made some good friends out here. Shaun Norris has been playing quite a bit in Japan. I get along with him quite well and the other South Africans as well. A couple of young players and some Indian players whom I have become friends with and a few others. It’s a friendly Tour. It’s one thing I have noticed especially this year. It’s a very welcoming part of the world. They are very friendly and hospitable.

I obviously liked to have a good result in Mauritius to move up to second place as it will make things more interesting coming down the stretch. It’s an opportunity for myself and Sanghyun Park to obviously go head to head for the second spot. He has obviously got a massive headstart this week but I got to go out and try and do my work and see if I can post a few good scores and put myself in position for the weekend. At the end of the day, starting in May when I won the Indonesia Open, I have never imagine myself in this position at the end of the year. It’s awesome to be in it and give myself that opportunity.

I have a good time in Indonesia. I quite like Thailand too and I have won there as well. I have played well about anyway in Asia which is a bonus. I am still learning and enjoying the different things out there. We’ll have some fun. I would like to try and move up the rankings in 2019 and maybe sneak in to some of the Majors. I got myself into the PGA Championship earlier.

I will have a better idea of what I can play and what I can’t play after this week. Obviously down for the Singapore Open in January to kick start the season. We will see what happens. Ultimately I want to try and broaden my focus I supposed. I have come from South Africa to play here in Asia and still going to play in Asia. There is no real game plan at the moment. I just want to focus on this week first.

Ends.