Kuala Lumpur: Danny Chia has carried the local hopes in the Maybank Malaysian Open over the past decade but he insists the tide has changed with the emergence of the immensely talented Nicholas Fung.
Chia, who turned 40 in November, said the desire to win the Maybank Malaysian Open still burns brightly among his compatriots who will take aim at the Seagram Trophy at the US$2.75 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour from March 21 to 24.
He will be joined in the elite field by Asian Tour regular Shaaban Hussin, S. Siva Chandhran, Sukree Othman, R. Nachimuthu, Kenneth De Silva and Azman Basharuddin at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Malaysian veteran P. Gunasegaran, who came closest to winning the Malaysian Open in 1994 before losing in a three-way playoff, will also tee up in the Maybank Malaysian Open with Kemarol Baharin, M. Sasidaran and Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Jamil.
The journey to become the first local player to win the Maybank Malaysian Open has been an arduous ride but the growing number of playing opportunities in the country has indeed equipped the Malaysian brigade with the much needed experience.
Over the past nine seasons, a total of 25 Asian Tour tournaments have been staged in Malaysia worth in excess of US$41 million in total prize money. This translates to good earning and playing opportunities for Malaysian golfers.
Other important tournaments such as the Qualifying School, World Cup Qualifying and British Open Qualifier have also been hosted in Malaysia which have been instrumental in growing the sport in the country.
In addition to the Asian Tour events, the Asian Development Tour (ADT), which is afforded with Official World Golf Ranking status this season, has staged 21 tournaments in Malaysia since 2010 including nine in the new 2013 season through a successful partnership with the PGM Tour, helmed by the enterprising Tun Ahmad Sarji.
The bespectacled Fung won the PGM Tour Order of Merit last season and by honing his skills on the ADT, it provided him with the impetus to earn his Asian Tour card for 2013 through the challenging Qualifying School.
“The Qualifying School is such a difficult event to play in and when you earn your Asian Tour card, it gives you a boost in your confidence. It shows that you are ready to play with some of the best players in the region,” said Fung.
“I feel that my game is in great shape. My goal is to win at least one Asian Tour event this year,” added the slightly-build Sabahan.
Chia, who has won once on the Asian Tour, believes Fung has what it takes to enjoy a stellar career on the region’s premier Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season this year as a player-led organisation.
“I played with him a couple of times. He is a very good ball striker and player. He has a good future ahead of him. I just think he needs more competitive events to become an even better and experienced player,” said Chia.
The memory of taking the halfway lead at the 2009 Maybank Malaysian Open before finishing tied 11th is still fresh in Chia’s mind. He said it provided him with the necessary experience that has turned him into a better player.
“To win a tournament is difficult let alone trying to win on your home ground. It will only add unnecessary pressure. As long as I’m striking the ball and putting well than I stand a chance to win. I’ve come to a stage where I don’t force myself to win but take things as it comes along,” said Chia.
“I’m not sure if it has anything to do with turning 40 but I’m definitely more experienced now! The way that I think on the golf course has changed a little bit. Obviously I’m a better player than what I was previously,” he added.