Asian golf stars believe their time has come

Asia’s long search for its first major champion is a matter of being “a few putts away,” say the region’s Masters hopefuls.

Asian Tour stars Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan and Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng are competing in the year’s opening major at Augusta National and they believe the region’s strength is finally showing.

Korean duo K.J. Choi and Yang Yong-eun, both graduates of the Asian Tour and winners on the U.S. PGA Tour, are also in the Masters, with Choi looking to improve on his third-place finish here in 2004.

“Asian golfers have come good in recent years because of the Asian Tour,” said Lin, the first player from Taiwan to qualify for the Masters in 20 years. “The three of us qualified for the Masters on merit which shows that we have become better.”

The man from Taipei does not need to look very far for inspiration to achieve his major dream.

Countrymen Lu Liang-huan and T.C. Chen came close at the British Open and U.S. Open in 1971 and 1985, respectively, each finishing runner-up. Lin’s wife has told him to capitalise on his maiden major appearance.

“My wife said that I’ve got an exciting opportunity to write golf history for Chinese Taipei,” said Lin, who finished second on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit last season.

Singh, Asia’s No. 1 in 2008, was delighted to see the growing number of Asian Tour players in the elite field. Apart from his success in Asia, Singh is also making his name abroad with a career-first top-10 in a major at last year’s U.S. PGA Championship and a fourth place outing at the recent World Golf Championship event in Doral, Florida.

“I think it’s fantastic. Golf is a global sport and it’s good to see so many Asians qualifying for the Masters,” said Singh, who is making his third Masters appearance.

Smooth-swinging Prayad knows that ultimately, Asia’s progress in world golf will be judged by their results at the majors. “The level of play amongst Asian players has certainly risen. But we have to take another big step up and keep raising our standard,” he said.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han also believes that Asian players are capable of challenging for major titles.

“K.J. showed that he could contend at the Masters in 2004 and played well at the British Open last year,” he said. AFP


Korea’s K.J. Choi hits a shot during a practice round prior to the 2009 Masters Tournament in Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, U.S., on Tuesday.