Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Randhawa ready to go for the top at Thai Open

PHUKET: Top Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa, fresh from his seventh place finish last week, is all set to improve upon that at the Singha Thailand Open starting on Thursday.

Randhawa, who is planning to train his sights on the European Tour later in the season has been getting into good form, even though his putting has let him down.

"I have been hitting well and am happy with the progress. In Jakarta last week I could have been much higher (than seventh) with some better putting," said Randhawa.

The huge Indian challenge of 13 golfers will also include some star names like SSP Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaurav Ghei, Digvijay Singh, Amandeep Johl and Rahil Gangjee. The field also has Gaganjeet Bhullar, C Muniyappa, Aniran Lahiri, Himmat Rai, Arjun Singh and Chiragh Kumar.

Also in the fray in Thailand Open is two-time US PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra who believes he is close to regaining his best form as he prepares for a title charge. The Swede will headline the $500,000 Asian Tour event at the devilish par-70 Laguna Phuket Golf Club alongside in-form Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and Order of Merit leader Anthony Kang of the US besides Randhawa.

"My game feels good. I'm getting closer every week. The swing is getting better and it's a matter of getting the confidence. I don't think about the swing changes anymore, I'm just trying to get the control of the ball which is getting better," said Chopra.

The 35-year-old, who is of Indian-Swede parentage, took a decision to remodel his game after lifting the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Championship, a tournament exclusive for winners on the US PGA Tour, for his second triumph in America.

But while the results have suffered over the past few months, Chopra knows his new swing will serve him better in the long haul.

Chopra said the challenging Laguna Phuket course will provide a stern test at the Singha Thailand Open, which is making a welcome return to the Asian Tour after a three-year lapse.

"The course is a lot tougher than I thought it would be. The rough is some of the thickest I've seen in Asia. With the tight pins, it will be a very good test," said Chopra.

Soruce:www.timesofindia.com

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