Karachi, Pakistan, October 9: Liu Yanwei of China is enjoying the hospitality in Pakistan, but he will be all business when the UMA CNS Open Championship tees off on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Liu has enjoyed a fairly consistent run of form this season, as he made the cut at nine out of 14 events in 2018. His goal is to finish the year within the top-60 of the Habitat for Humanity Standings and he will be looking to put in a breakout performance at the Karachi Golf Club.

Liu started to peak around a similar period in 2017 that was highlighted by a lone third finish in China in November. He is feeling confident about his game and he’ll be one to watch at the upcoming US$300,000 event.

Marcus Both of Australia, Ireland’s Niall Turner and India’s Chiragh Kumar are also looking to kick-start their respective seasons at the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship, the Asian Tour’s first event in Pakistan since 2007.

Marcus Both of Australia

Both, who won his third Asian Tour title in 2014, has done commendably well in two tournaments in neighbouring India two months ago. He feels that the set up of the golf course at Karachi Golf Club suits his game and he is confident about his chances.

Turner has made a successful recovery from a back injury, evident from this top-10 finish in Chinese Taipei. He hopes to bring his forward momentum into Karachi.

Kumar, a one-time Asian Tour winner, has struggled this season but he remains positive and motivated in the lead up to the tournament this week.

Did you know:

• Liu Yanwei secured a career-high third place finish at the Asian Golf Championship in Xiamen last year
• This week marks Liu’s second visit to Pakistan. Last year, he competed at an Asian Development Tour tournament in Lahore and was placed tied-17th.
• He was prolific on the Asian Development Tour in 2017, finishing in the top-10 five times last year.
• Marcus Both won his maiden Asian Tour title back in 2003, at the Sanya Open
• His victory in the Philippines in 2014 was particularly sweet as he thought of quitting the game after losing his Tour card for the first time in 11 seasons.
• Niall Turner made his Asian Tour debut in 2011 and claimed three top-20s in his first nine months on Tour
• He missed the cut five times in his last eight starts on the Asian Tour, but he will be buoyed by his tied-sixth finish at the Yeangder TPC last week.
• Chiragh Kumar made his career breakthrough at the 2015 Panasonic Open India.
• He performed solidly in tournaments held in South Asia last year and secured his Tour card for this season after finishing in 41st place on the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Player’s Quotes:

Liu Yanwei (Chn)

It’s great to see an Asian Tour event in Pakistan. It’s always great to have new events on the schedule. The more events we have, the better it is.

I played an ADT (Asian Development Tour) event at Lahore last year. The people were very welcoming and I felt that they really enjoyed having us in their country. From what I have seen this week so far, the experience has been a similar one. I felt that I’ve been well taken care of.

This year, I played good in patches but I could have played better. There are a few more events left. The goal is top-60 and I’m working towards that.

It doesn’t matter what the tournament is or where it is held. It’s the same at every tournament; I’m going to play well, play my game and beat myself. If you play your own game and you play well, the good results will come and that’s I’m aiming to do every week.

I struggled with my putts over the last two weeks. Hopefully, I can get it back this week. Other than that, everything is OK. Let’s see how it goes.

Marcus Both (Aus)

It’s been a while since the Asian Tour last had a tournament here, but I can remember so much about it. I can still recall back in 2006, my roommate Chris Rodgers graduated from Q School, won a tournament the following week here in Pakistan and enjoyed the benefits that came with it. I also remember the course being really strategic, which is right up my alley. Karachi Golf Club’s course is old-style and it’s great to see it featured on our schedule.

You need to position your ball well. You have a bit of room off the beaten track but it’s better to hit the ball off the grass than the sandy wasteland ‘stuff’. This course looks open but if you hit it in there, it is not as user-friendly as hitting it off the fairway. The rest of my game is in pretty good shape.

I’ve played better than my scores suggested, which is frustrating. My results haven’t been up to scratch and I’m well aware of it. I’m working hard to rectify that. There are still a good number of events until the end of the year and hopefully, we can get things kick-started here.

Niall Turner (Ire)

I turned it around last week in Chinese Taipei. I didn’t play great in the first round, but I picked it up in the second round and carried it through to the weekend. It’s never easy to come back from an injury. Hopefully, last week will be the start of good things to come.

This is my first time in Pakistan. So far, it’s been great. The hospitality has been fantastic and everyone seems so happy to have us here. The hotel is nice and the week has been great so far.

I’ve played well last week, so I hope to be able to carry over the form into this week, put in four good rounds and a high finish.

My all-round game has been consistent currently. Everything is pretty solid. I need to have to high finishes this year; a win hopefully. Those are my goals for this season.

Chiragh Kumar (Ind)

It’s fantastic that the Asian Tour has come back to Pakistan after a long spell. I really hope that the tournament is here to stay. I have a geographical affinity to the country, being from India. We know so many people here and the hospitality is great. I’m excited to be here.

I don’t remember the golf course at all as I last played on it in 2007. But, I’m looking forward to going out there and playing on it.

I’ve been performing far below my expectations this year. It has been tough and I don’t know where things have gone wrong. But I’m hoping for a good finish and get my confidence up. There are still a good number of tournaments left. I want to make a charge to keep my card. That’s what I’m looking for.

I’m not working on anything specific. I hope that my game clicks this week. I don’t know what to expect from myself this week. I go into every tournament feeling confident. I want to do well, and hopefully, the tide turns.

Ends.