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Asia On The Rise As Open Approaches
Filipino Goes Solo at Open in First Links Test
Meditation Part of Preparation for Lahiri's Open Debut
Asia On The Rise As Open Approaches
LYTHAM, July 18, 2012 (AFP) - Wins by Thongchai Jaidee and Jeev Milkha Singh on European soil over the past two months have sent Asian hopes soaring at the British Open which starts on Thursday.
Thailand’s Thongchai was victorious in the Wales Open in June, while India’s Singh triumphed at the Scottish Open on Sunday to reinforce the growing strength of golf in Asia.
A total of 12 Asian Tour members, who include K.J. Choi and Y.E. Yang of South Korea and reigning Asian number one Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, will tee up at Royal Lytham and St Annes hoping to deliver a second major victory for Asia following Yang’s historic win at the 2009 PGA Championship.
Singh’s play-off triumph at Castle Stuart was timely as it proved that Asians can win on a links course.
Choi, the first Asian Tour player to really hit it big on the USPGA Tour where he is now an eight-time winner, said the recent success will have a great effect on the younger generation of players.
"Jeev’s win is good for the young generation. They will want to follow him. There will be more Asians in Europe and America very soon," said Choi.
The Korean strongman was previously flying the flag single-handedly at major events but this week, he will be joined by several other Korean players including Bae Sang-moon and Kim Kyung-tae.
Choi will not be surprised if Singh continues to ride on his winning form at Royal Lytham.
He has been playing for a long time in Europe. When the wind blows, he can make his shots. He knows how to play," said Choi.
India’s Anirban Lahiri, who will make his major debut this week, enthused that Asian golf was on the upward trend thanks very much to the influence of the Asian Tour, the region’s elite circuit.
"Jeev’s win is great for the Asian Tour and fantastic for India. With Thongchai winning as well in Wales last month, it goes to show that our players can win in Europe and it’s a good thing. It certainly will inspire players like myself," he said.
Thai veteran Prayad Marksaeng, playing in his fifth British Open, was also delighted with the recent winning run by Asian players.
"It’s good to see Asian players winning European Tour events in Europe. Jeev and Thongchai have a lot of experience and it’s a good sign for the others. For me, I’ve won in Asia and Japan, now I would really like to win something bigger," he said.
While the vagaries of links golf are still very much unfamiliar to many Asian players, Thongchai believes that the game has the knack of delivering surprises.
"Jeev played so good in those conditions last week. You never know in golf who will win," the Thai veteran said.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han added: "It has been a very good two months for the Asian Tour stars.
"Thongchai and Jeev have proven once again that our members can compete and win tournaments abroad and the timing is perfect with The Open Championship starting on Thursday."
Filipino Goes Solo at Open in First Links Test
LYTHAM, England, July 18, 2012 (AFP) - Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the number one player on the Asian Tour, hopes his decision to travel alone for his major debut will reap rewards when the 141st British Open starts on Thursday.
Pagnusan, the first man from the Philippines to win the Order of Merit last year, has no family or friends to cheer him on at Royal Lytham and St Annes but that suits him just fine.
"I find that travelling alone for tournaments is much better as there will be no distractions," Pagunsan said. "You just think about yourself and don't have to think about your friends. It will be easier for me to focus on the tournament."
Pagnusan, whose caddie will be a friend's brother who lives in England, was greeted by heavy rain and wind when he played his first practice round on Monday, his first taste of links golf.
"So much rain on Monday and I couldn't really see the golf course -- it was a good introduction to the Open for me," he said.
"It was very difficult. The winds kept changing. I didn't really like it as it was so difficult. You have to keep the clubs dry all the time. The course is wet. Bunkers here are different too.
"But it’s really nice being here. I will be trying my best."
Pagunsan, 34, is aiming first and foremost about simply trying to reach the weekend.
"There are so many good players here," he said. "However, I feel like I'm hitting the ball good. I’ll try to make the cut first. I want to play in the weekend."
Meditation Part of Preparation for Lahiri's Open Debut
LYTHAM, England, July 18, 2012 (AFP) - India’s Anirban Lahiri will count upon his meditation to help him make a successful debut at the British Open when play begins on Thursday.
The 25-year-old from Bangalore, a two-time Asian Tour winner in his homeland, is excited at testing the world-class field at Royal Lytham and St Annes but knows he must keep calm to make the most of his opportunity.
"I will stick to my meditation and stay in the moment, not get carried away, and focus on what I need to do," Lahiri said.
"It will play a critical role. Times of great highs and low, the mind gets muddled and unclear. I have to rely on meditation as it will only do me good."
Lahiri has been meditating for the past few years, saying his longest session was three hours, while he spends about 20 minutes each day when he is at a tournament. The key benefit is simply staying in the moment, Lahiri said.
"The benefit that I have derived from my meditation is that I'm able to stay in the present," Lahiri said. "That is what everyone talks about, hit one shot at a time and we all wonder how to do it.
"Meditation has taught me to block out the scoreboard, what the group in front is doing or how far back or ahead I am. All those things get sidetracked and the focus comes back to what I need to do. That’s what meditation helps me to do.
"It is like a process, like an exercise. You can be in that state during the round depending on how strong your practices are. If you can put yourself in that state, you can go through 18 holes in your own world without being affected by what is around you. That is what really helps."
Lahiri arrived on Saturday and found he relished the tough conditions synonymous with The Open.
"I am enjoying the weather so far," he said. "A lot of people here whom I've met are not comfortable in this condition but I'm feeling at home. I expected the course as tough as it has been set up.
"I'm feeling good. I'm hitting it good. I'm happy with my equipment set up. I'm feeling very comfortable."
Lahiri visited Royal Lyutham and St Annes in late May for several practice rounds but feels the difference of tournament week.
"The atmosphere is beautiful," he said. "People come out here despite the rain and cold. It's a pleasure to be here. I'm hoping I can put in a good performance to make it better."
Lahiri was to have been the only Indian player in the field of 157 but Jeev Milkha Singh joined him by winning the Scottish Open last Sunday.