Manila: Sweden’s Daniel Chopra will be looking to land another victory in Asia when he returns to the region for the inaugural US$750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters which tees off at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club next week.
Chopra’s earned his breakthrough in Asia when he won the Johor Open in Malaysia in 1993.
It was his first victory a year since turning professional and since then, the 39-year-old , who is born to a Swedish mother and Indian father, has gone on to record a total of 14 victories including the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2001.
While he is now focused on his career in the United States where he has won twice on the PGA Tour, Chopra is looking forward to returnng to the region which has brought him much success.
“It has been a long time since I last played in the Philippines. I’ve heard many good things about the rise of golf in the Philippines and I can’t wait to go back there and see for myself how much things have improved,” said Chopra.
The Swede enjoyed two top-10 finishes on the region’s premier Tour last season and will be will determined to win his first title of the year at the Resorts World Manila Masters.
“I’m looking for my first win this season and hopefully it will come at the Resorts World Manila Masters. I’ve fond memories of playing at Manila Southwoods and I remember it being a terrific course. Hopefully I can do something special there next week,” said Chopra.
Chopra will be among the leading contenders at the Resorts World Manila Masters where an international mix of players from over 22 countries are expect to battle for world ranking points and the winner’s purse of US$135,000.
Other likely contenders at the newest event on the Asian Tour which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013 include Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, China’s Liang Wen-chong, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, who is the reigning Order of Merit champion.
Filipino duo Angelo Que and Antonio Lascuna will spearhead the local charge and take aim at putting on a good show before heading to Australia to represent the Philippines at the ISPS Handa World Cup of golf.
To further develop the game of golf in the Philippines, 30 spots will be given to players from the ever-growing Philippines Golf Tour (PGT) to compete against the region’s best at the Resorts World Manila Masters.
As the sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour believes that partnering the PGT is important to help grow the game domestically, especially in view of golf returning into the Olympics program in 2016.