Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Zhang Lian-wei of China will be eager to prove that age is no barrier to success when they tee off at the Macao Open presented by Cityneon starting Thursday.
The duo, who have won a combined total of 17 Asian Tour titles, will be joined by a strong cast of Asian Tour stars assembled in the US$750,000 event staged at the Macao Golf and Country Club.
S.S.P. Chowrasia of India, currently leading the Order of Merit and second placed Siddikur of Bangladesh will feature in the event which returns on the Asian Tour Schedule after a one year break.
Thaworn, 44, won the event two years ago in dramatic style as he defeated Gaganjeet Bhullar of India by six strokes. He believes he is well prepared in his title defence but admits he faces a strong challenge with five out of the top-10 on the Order of Merit playing this week.
“I feel very prepared in my title defence but I’m not sure if I can win again. I’ll definitely do my best. Golf is very unpredictable and with so many good players this week, it is difficult to predict who will win,” said the 12-time Asian Tour winner.
“There are many young players now but I will play at my own momentum and I won’t change anything. I must admit the younger guys have more stamina so I need to play at my own pace,” added the Thai.
Like Thaworn, Zhang has played on the Asian Tour since 1995 where he has won numerous titles including the 2001 and 2002 Macao Open titles. He also won the Volvo China Open in 2003
He turned 46 in June but is hoping to roll back the years as he aims to win his third Macao Open title.
“I always look forward playing in the Macao Open. I always feel like I’m defending my title here! I have to admit it won’t be easy to win again with all the Asian Tour players here but I’ll do my best,” said Zhang, known as China’s leading trailblazer in golf.
India’s rising star Bhullar will have unfinished business at the Macao Open presented by Cityneon where he placed second two years ago.
“I always enjoy coming back here. Good to see the sponsors putting in more money this year. It always inspires us to play well on this golf course and I’m really looking forward to this week,” said the 23-year-old.
“There’s a bit of pressure for me to go out there and win one title this year but that’s golf and I’m sure everybody is feeling the same. We do work hard to win a tournament every year. The more you work harder and the luckier you get,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.
Macao’s amateur golfer Ao Ka Wai, 14, will enjoy an experience of a lifetime as he prepares to take on the Asian Tour luminaries. He admits feeling nervous but knows the opportunity will help elevate his career.
“This is a great experience for me. You won’t get many opportunities to play with the top players. I’m feeling very nervous and scared but these are the sort of experience that will help me become a better player,” said Ao, who represented his country in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
Ao will be joined by countrymen Tang Chak Hou, Yang Sihuang and Xiao Jieyu, all amateurs.
The Macao Open has been a regular fixture on the Asian Tour calendar and has previously attracted some of the world’s best players. The tournament has been won by many world stars, including Lee Westwood of England (1999) and Colin Montgomerie of Scotland (2003).
The Macao Open presented by Cityneon will be beamed live during all four rounds on the Asian Tour’s television platform of over 200 nations and 850 million homes, ensuring that Macao will be the centre of attention during the week.
