Taipei: American Jonathan Moore, upcoming Chinese star Hu Mu and Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka will be shooting for glory at the US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship next week.


The talented trio have enjoyed some measure of success but are eager to win their first Asian Tour title to elevate their careers on the region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its 10th season in 2013.

Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea, ranked sixth on the Order of Merit, highly rated Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei, Scott Barr of Australia, Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand, Ben Fox of the United States and Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna will also feature in the popular event with the aim of winning maiden Asian Tour event.


Defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar of India will headline the Yeangder TPC alongside local heroes Lu Wei-chih, who is making a comeback after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour 12 months ago, Lin Wen-tang and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club from September 12 to 15.


China’s Hu narrowly missed out on securing an Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Thailand earlier this year but has made full use of his limited playing opportunities this season.


With one top-five result so far this season, Hu currently sits in 35th position on the Order of Merit and has set his sights on winning one Asian Tour tournament. He also hopes to improve his position on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) where he is currently 490th.


“I can’t wait to play in more tournaments and I want to get one win under the belt. Another goal is to get into the top-300 in the world. I think I have a good chance of doing that. The OWGR is a way for me to see how I’ve improved and progressed.


“I always monitor my progress through the world rankings. It was the same even during my junior golf day when I tried to get higher in the rankings in the United States. I think the OWGR points are very important to indicate your progress,” said Hu.


Moore, who earned his Asian Tour card in 2012 by winning the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit in 2011, will take a more carefree approach in his bid for victory at the Yeangder TPC.


“I’m just trying to let go more. A few things I’ve learned over the years, one of them is to send the ball on its way. I can’t make it go to a particular spot. Just envision that all I’m going to do is to hit it into the ocean instead of a small fairway. Just make that free swing,” said Moore.


Perera, who is currently 27th on the Order of Merit in what is his first full season on the Asian Tour, finished second in the season-opening Zaykabar Myanmar Open. He remains confident of becoming the first Sri Lankan golfer to win on the Asian Tour.


“All you need is one good week to turn your life around. I feel my time is coming soon. I try my best in every tournament and I think the win is not far away,” said the 26-year-old Perera.


The Yeangder TPC was inaugurated in 2010 and is sponsored by The Yeangder Group.