Bhullar, Muniyappa to lead Indian challenge at Bangkok
January 26th, 2010 - 8:37 pm ICT by IANS
Bangkok, Jan 26 (IANS) India’s rising golfing stars Gaganjeet Bhullar and C. Muniyappa, who became the latest Indians to break through on the Asian Tour last year, will launch title challenges in the opening event of the year at the Asian Tour International next week.
The event will be held from Feb 4-7 at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
The 21-year-old Bhullar was a revelation of last year where he won the Indonesia President Invitational and posted three other runner-up finishes to finish sixth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He also made his Major debut at the British Open.
“Last year was a dream year and I feel really pumped up about the new season ahead. I’ll be playing in our first event and I hope to get a good start. My aim is to keep improving every year, keep working hard and the results will come,” said Bhullar.
Muniyappa produced a memorable victory at the Hero Honda Indian Open when he outlasted Korea’s Lee Sung in a play-off. A former caddie, Muniyappa’s success was an inspiration to many underprivileged golfers.
Title holder James Kamte of South Africa will spearhead a cosmopolitan line-up of champions at the season-opening event. The big-hitting Kamte will relish a return to the event to defend his first career breakthrough achieved 12 months ago.
The South African made his Asian Tour debut at the Asian Tour International after earning his card through Qualifying School last year and then defeated Japanese veteran Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who has also confirmed his appearance in the US$300,000 event.
Other top names who will grace the event include Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin, who won the final tournament of the 2009 season in Thailand, Australians Marcus Both and Darren Beck, Korean duo Mo Joong-kyung and Hwang Inn-choon, Filipino Angelo Que and Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat.
“To win my first tournament as a rookie was a dream come true. I just hit the ball so well that week,” said the 29-year-old Kamte, who was thrilled to play a practice round with Tiger Woods before the US Open, for which also he qualified.
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- Jeev looks to end title drought in Thailand - Dec 12, 2011
- Bhullar leads Indian challenge at Asian Tour International - Feb 03, 2010
- Bhullar still in contention in fourth place at Handa Classic golf - Sep 11, 2010
- Hiratsuka wins Panasonic Open, Jeev shares fourth place - Sep 25, 2011
- Chowrasia aiming for Indian Open, Merit crown - Oct 07, 2011
- Lahiri aims for double at Panasonic Open - Sep 21, 2011
- Lahiri best Indian at tied ninth in Myanmar Open - Apr 10, 2010
- Indian golfers dominate Order of Merit ahead of Malaysian Open - Apr 13, 2011
- Indian golfers hope to maintain success story at Panasonic Open - Mar 28, 2011
- Gangjee opens season with top-10 at Bangkok - Feb 08, 2009
- Asian Tour scores on all fronts in first half of the year - Jun 30, 2010
Tags: asian tour, australians, bangkok, british open, caddie, career breakthrough, chinese taipei, golf and country club, golfers, golfing, hero honda, hiratsuka, hwang, indian challenge, mardan mamat, memorable victory, order of merit, qualifying school, title challenges, yih