Karachi, Pakistan, October 5: Pannakorn Uthaipas of Thailand will be aiming to turn his season around at the US$300,000 UMA CNS Open Golf Championship that tees off next week.

Pannakorn enjoyed a successful 2017, posting four top-10s and a victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) en route to winning the ADT Order of Merit title.

The transition to the Asian Tour has been a difficult one for the 28-year-old so far, but he is rediscovering his game and hopes to get back to winning ways at the historic Karachi Golf Club.

I’m going for a victory,” said Pannakorn, on his goal for the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship.

He added: “I’m really excited about next week. This is my second tournament in Pakistan. Last year, I was in Lahore for an ADT event. The country is safe, the people I’ve met were nice and the hotel was beautiful. I’m sure my experience will be similar or even better when I’m in Karachi.”

The UMA CNS Open Golf Championship is the first Asian Tour tournament in Pakistan in 11 years and Singapore’s Koh Deng Shan is grateful for the opportunity to play there.

Koh Deng Shan of Singapore

“It is always great to go back to a place where we haven’t been for some time. I’m glad that Pakistan is hosting an Asian Tour event and I hope that the country will continue to do that,” said Koh, who posted a career-best tied-16th finish on the Asian Tour in Zhengzhou this year.

“I’ve never been to Pakistan. I’ve only seen some pictures and it looks like a very scenic place. Getting my first Asian Tour win there will be fantastic!”

The 132-man field at the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship will be made up of 80 Asian Tour professionals, 30 local professionals and 22 invitees.

The tournament has been staged on the local circuit since 1995 and with its entry into Asia’s premier golf circuit this year, the event will receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

Ends.