Pic: 2010 winner Noh Seung-yul of KoreaASIAN Tour stars will head to the US$2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open next week, buoyant by the fact that the prestigious championship has been their favourite hunting ground for over a decade.
The Malaysian Open was first co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour in 1999 and since then, the tournament has been won nine times by Asian Tour members, including by two-time champions Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand (2004 and 2005) and India’s Arjun Atwal (2003 and 2008).
Among the others who have lifted the Seagram Trophy, which is awarded to the champion of the Maybank Malaysian Open, include Chinese Taipei’s Yeh Wei-tze in 2000, Charlie Wi of Korea in 2006 and last year’s winner, Noh Seung-yul of Korea.
Korean-American Anthony Kang, who has plied his trade with great success on the Asian Tour since 1998, was also victorious in the 2009 edition where he ended an eight-year title drought.
With the stats favouring the Asian Tour players, it is no surprise that the Maybank Malaysian Open has attracted a stellar cast of players from across the region including Indian stalwart Jeev Milkha Singh, who is a two-time Asian Tour number one.
The in-form Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, winner of the SAIL Open in India last month, will also feature at the impressive Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club with Japanese ace Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who triumphed three times last season, 2010 Rookie of the Year Rikard Karlberg of Sweden and Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei.
Noh’s dramatic victory in last year’s edition acted as a springboard to his career as he went on to become the youngest Asian Tour Order of Merit winner at the age of 19.
Equipped with a new found confidence and a wealth of experience, the talented teenager will be eager to return to the winner’s podium again. “Malaysia is always good to me. Every time I come, it’s a good experience. Also, every time I come, the field seems to be getting stronger. From a personal perspective, Malaysia has been monumental, experience wise,” said Noh.
Indeed, Noh will have to be at his best next week as the Maybank Malaysian Open has attracted its strongest field with world number one Martin Kaymer of Germany, reigning British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa and Irish star Rory McIlroy, a top-10 player in the world, headlining the Open.
India’s Singh, a six-time Asian Tour winner, will be making his first appearance in the Maybank Malaysian Open since 2008. He struggled with injuries last year but is eyeing to bounce back with a polished performance next week.
Decorated Thai star Thongchai will also be among the top draws. He finished runner-up at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in 2006 when he was chasing for his hat-trick of titles.
Thongchai, who has won a record 13 Asian Tour titles in his stellar career, has often described his fondness of playing in Malaysia. “Malaysia is like my second home. I have a lot of fans and a lot of people know me. I like coming to Malaysia,” said Thongchai.
