Sports India

The second half of the season will be an eagerly awaited challenge as it marks the return of the Asian Tour stars that have proved their mettle during the mid-year break.

While many were enjoying the summer break with family and friends, a handful of Asian Tour stalwarts have kept a busy schedule in Japan, Europe and United States.

Among the players that took home a bag of experience was Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant who had an inspirational run when he finished in the top half of the table at The Open Championship on Sunday. India’s Jeev Milkha Singh walked tall with a top-ten finish at the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship in July as Thai sensation Thongchai Jaidee was ranked joint 12th at the Barclays Scottish Open.

“Although I played well this week, I don’t think I will return for the Dunhill Links Championship later this year as it will be too cold for me to handle. I would prefer to stay in Asia and play a handful in Europe,” said Thaworn.

Singh’s strong performance has not only kept his momentum going throughout the off season period but also helped reinforce his stature as one of the best in the region. His top-ten performance in Japan was backed by a superb showing in Ireland when he claimed fourth spot at the Smurfit European Open.

The Asian Tour young guns were also in the thick of the fray with India’s latest star Shiv Kapur and Aussie duo of Andrew Buckle and Jarrod Lyle making their debut appearance at the British Open.

It was an adventurous break for Buckle who competed in his first ever major. Buckle, who is ranked third on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, had to make a last minute dash to compete at Royal Liverpool Golf Club as he replaced South African Trevor Immelman. On the other side of the world, Buckle had previously chalked up a third place finish at the Peek n’ Peak Classic in New York.

“I definitely will come back to Asia for the Barclays Singapore Open (in September) and if I play well in the US, I might even come back early to Asia to play in a few more,” said Buckle.

Asian Tour’s Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong will also create history in United States when they compete at The International at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado. It will be the first time two Chinese players will be in the field for a US PGA Tour event.

The excitement on the Asian Tour will continue with the staging of the Crowne Plaza Open, Brunei Open and Johor Open as the first three events lined-up for the second half of the season.

And with the quality performance displayed by the Asian Tour players on the international stage the past weeks, it merely reflects what is in store in the coming months when they tee off once again in search for glory in Asia.