Siem Reap (Cambodia), Nov 18 (IANS) Indian golfer Shiv Kapur, who has secured his playing rights in Europe, hopes to keep the same streak going on Asian Tour as he gets ready for a strong showing at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open starting Thursday.
Since his debut year, when he won the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2005, Kapur has successfully maintained his full playing rights in Asia but the former Rookie of the Year needs a good result at Phokeethra Country Club to keep his streak alive.

He will face tough opposition as a plethora of Asian Tour stars including Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, 11-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Anthony Kang of the United States, who is third on the Order of Merit, and the in-form Marcus Both of Australia.

Following his breakthrough four years ago, the talented Kapur, who was the 2002 Asian Games gold medalist, has endured a few bumps in his career but he is confident of ending his season on a high note at the $300,000 full field Asian Tour event.

“As a personal milestone since turning pro, I have always maintained my Asian Tour card and that is something I would like to carry on. I haven’t won in a few years but I feel my chances are better on this side of the world,” said Kapur.

He is presently ranked 69th on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and needs to break into the top-65 to maintain his status. As the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open will be his last event of the season in the region, Kapur knows he needs to get the job done by this week.

Kapur arrived in Siem Reap with his confidence intact following a tied 48th outing in the UBS Hong Kong Open, which helped him secure his card in Europe for the fourth straight season.

“But one of my goals (every year) is to keep my card in Asia and to try to get a win before the end of the season. There isn’t one single factor that has held me back but I feel my game is steadily improving and it is getting back on track,” added the Indian.

The other Indians in the fray at the Cambodian Open will be Himmat Rai, currently 50th on the Money List, Rahil Gangjee, currently 63rd and Vikrant Chopra, who is 120th.