40 Asian Tour cards up for grabs

507 players from over 30 countries will chase their dreams when they compete in the Asian Tour's Qualifying School.

At stake for the hopefuls will be 40 Tour cards for the 2009 Asian Tour season which is poised to offer another lucrative Schedule this year. The Tour has already announced a 28-event Schedule with over US$36 million in total prize money, with several other tournaments being finalised.

Australia has the biggest representation in the Qualifying School with 83 players shooting for their Tour cards, followed by Korea, who have 64 players and Japan, who will have 58 players in the field.

A total of 50 Americans are also in the field while players from golfing minnows including Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Brunei will also try their luck in Thailand. Players from China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and India will be amongst those competing for 40 available Tour cards.

The First Stage will start on Tuesday over three venues - Lam Luk Ka Country Club, St Andrews 2000 and Rayong Green Valley Country Club - where a total of 416 players will attempt to qualify for the Final Stage, which will be held at St Andrews 2000 and Rayong Green Valley from January 13 to 17.

From each of the first stage venues, the top 20 per cent finishers after four rounds, which equates to the leading 29 players and ties from St Andrews and 27 players and ties from Rayong Green Valley and Lam Lu Ka respectively, will join an already exempted 91 players in the all-important Final Stage next week.

The top-40 finishers and ties at the Final Stage, which for the first time will be played over five rounds, will earn playing rights for the new season. The 2009 season will kick off with the Asian Tour International in Suwan Golf and Country Club in Bangkok from February 5 to 8.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han was delighted to welcome a strong turnout of international competitors at the Qualifying School, presented by Sports Authority of Thailand.

"It is tremendous to receive over 500 entries to the 2009 Qualifying School, which is one of the most important events for players who harbour hopes of achieving success on the Asian Tour," said Han.

"The strong turnout of players reflects positively on the stature of the Asian Tour. We have sustained our growth annually since our inception as a members' organisation in 2004. Last year, we staged a record 30 events with over US$39 million in prize money and I have every confidence that we can surpass these milestones during our 2009 season," he added.

Amongst the notable names who will compete in the Qualifying School include promising Chinese teenagers James Su Dong and Ye Jian-feng, Singaporean Quincy Quek, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Indonesians Rory Hie and Andik Mauludin, Italian Emanuel Canonica and Japan Tour winners Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Daisuke Maruyama and Soushi Tajima, winner of the 2000 Qualifying School.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee is the finest example of a Qualifying School graduate making a name for himself on the Asian Tour as he has won a record 10 tournaments and is the leading player in the career earnings ranking with nearly US$3 million in winnings.

Casey backs Montgomerie

Paul Casey expects Colin Montgomerie to bounce back in 2009 after a relatively disappointing campaign this year.

The Scot dropped 64 places to 121st in the world rankings, and also failed to make the European Ryder Cup team, but Surrey-based Casey insists there is more to come from the 45-year-old.

Casey said: "Monty is Monty. He is never less than good value, and he has got so much going for him."

PGA Tour dates confirmed

he PGA Tour has finalised its full schedule for 2009 with a slight overall increase in overall prize money.

The itinerary for the regular season was announced in November and the dates for the Fall Series - which will determine the top 125 on the money list and playing priorities for 2010 - have now been confirmed.

Tour commissioner Tim Finchem is delighted with a calendar drawn up in a deteriorating economic climate.

"Once again, we believe we have a very strong line-up of fall tournaments for our fans, sponsors and players," Finchem said in a statement.

"We are working on a couple of options for the week of November 2-8 and will announce that week as soon as it is finalised."

The Fall Series will start in early October with the US$6 million Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, New York, one week after the culmination of the FedExCup play-offs.

The Disney Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Florida from November 12-15 brings the season to a close.

A total of 47 events feature on the full schedule - a reduction of just one from 2008 - with the winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship launching the season in Kapalua, Hawaii from January 8-11.

Fiji's Singh wins Tiger's World Challenge

Fiji's Vijay Singh fired a final-round 67 on Sunday to win the 5.75 million-dollar Chevron World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods.

Singh finished with an 11-under total of 211 to claim 1.35 million dollars from the 5.75 million-dollar purse. Steve Stricker finished second, carding a 68 for 278.

Overnight leader Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan were four strokes back on seven-under 281, Kim falling back with 73 and Mahan shooting a 68.

Singh and Stricker both started the day at 6-under, two shots behind Kim and one behind Jim Furyk.

But both Kim and Furyk struggled on the back nine, while Singh and Stricker shot matching 32s on the final nine holes.

Stricker and Singh were tied going into the final hole, where Singh converted a 10-foot birdie putt for the victory.

"It was very unexpected," said Singh, who claimed the richest prize of golf's "Silly Season" to go with his 10 million-dollar bonus for winning the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

"Jim and Anthony were playing so well. My thought was if I shot 68 or 67 I would have a chance."

Singh said one of the holes on the front nine was the key to his day.

"I had bogeyed the sixth hole all week," Singh said. "I birdied it today and that fired me up."

After his successful season and post-season, Singh said he'd still be at work on Christmas Day.

"It's the best time to hit balls," Singh said. "There's nobody on the golf course. You'd be surprised."

Lin over the moon with place

Lin Wen-tang was ecstatic after becoming the first Chinese Taipei player in 20 years to earn a place in the Masters.

The Asian Tour standout moved up to 49^th position on the final Official World Golf Ranking following his tied sixth finish at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok to seal his maiden Major appearance.

"I'm very happy. My friends told me that the last Chinese Taipei golfer to play at the Masters was over 20 years ago and I'm glad that I have earned my place. I've watched the Masters on TV for so many years, especially when I was growing up and I've always been in awe of Augusta National Golf Club. The greens are very undulating and I am looking forward to playing at the golf course," said Lin.

Chen Tze-chung, better known as T.C. Chen, was the last player from Chinese Taipei to feature at the Masters in 1989. A total of six players from Chinese Taipei, including Asian greats Hsieh Min-nan, Lu Liang-huan and Chen Ching-po, who played in six Masters, have competed in the year's opening Major with T.C. posting the best performance with a tied 12^th outing in 1987.

Lin's rise into the world's top-50 was due to his career-best year on the Asian Tour where he finished second on the Order of Merit behind India's number one Jeev Milkha Singh, who will also play in his third Masters after ending the season in 35^th place on the world rankings.

The 34-year-old Lin won twice, including the UBS Hong Kong Open last month, and posted seven other top-10s to earn US$844,735, only surpassed by Singh's new earnings record of US$1.45 million.

Lin will certainly speak to Chen about the Masters over the coming months. "TC was my hero when I was growing up. My wife doesn't quite like me going to America but I'm sure she won't mind me going to the Masters," said Lin, who has made attempts at the US PGA Tour qualifying school in the past.

"I've had a very good year. I have played on the Asian Tour for such a long time now but this year, it all clicked. Asian golf has a very high standard and there are so many players who can win tournaments. But this year, I had a good feeling and I was lucky to win twice," said Lin.

He hopes that his Masters appearance will rejuvenate professional golf in Chinese Taipei, which hosts only one Asian Tour event compared to three regular events previously.

"Not many sponsors are supporting professional golf in Taipei. But even with me playing at the Masters next year, I don't think it will spark great interest in the game. Maybe if I win the Masters, then it will change!" said Lin.

"We need hope for the ROC PGA to do some thing for the local golf scene. I will try my best."

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han commended Lin for his great season. "Lin deserves his place in the world's top-50. He's enjoyed a terrific season with those two victories and I'm sure he will perform well at the Masters. Like Jeev, he will be a fine ambassador for the Asian Tour at Augusta National," said Han.

While Lin was ecstatic with his Masters appearance, there was heartbreak for Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, who slipped from 49^th to 52^nd place in the world rankings.

Prayad, who played in his first Masters this year but withdrew in the second round with injury, was knocked out from the top-50 by Richard Sterne and Rory McIlroy who finished first and joint third respectively at the South African Open while Prayad finished equal 12^th in Bangkok.

Jeev to cut down on Asian tours

Jeev Milkha Singh said he would cut down his Asian Tour appearances next year to sustain peak fitness and avoid fatigue.

The Chandigarh golfer, who capped a memorable season comprising four titles with the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown, said fitness would be the key to his aim of securing a Major.

"I have already said that my focus is winning a Major next season. In my next season, I would play 12 tournaments in the US, three in Japan -- two of which as defending champions, rest would mostly be in Europe as I would cut down on Asian Tour participation," he said on the sidelines of the launch of PGTI's BILT Open, where he would play before heading for a three-week break.

"Overall I would play for 32 weeks next season. I have been playing a lot of tournaments and every year it comes to about 37 weeks on the road. I plan to lessen the workload next year because injuries end up pushing you back," he added.

"I ended tied ninth at the PGA Championship this year, so I have got the game, it's just a question of mindset and fitness. I have to be patient and give my 100 per cent to every shot that I play." The rigours of a gruelling but rewarding season, have, however, taken a toll on Jeev's right ankle. The 34-year-old said the three-week break would be enough to heal the injury.

"My right ankle is in terrible shape. So, I have to get it right before the next season starts. Right now it's like if I run for a mile, I can't walk because the ankle hurts badly. I will start cycling and I have also picked up some special exercises to sustain a good level of fitness. Game wise, I think I am doing fine and don't need work on anything," Jeev said. "So less paranthas and more exercise now," he laughed.

Of the four titles he won this year, Jeev said he considered the Singapore Open his best effort because of the intimidating field that comprised top players like Phil Mickelsen and Ernie Els.

"I would rate Singapore Open as my best win this year because of the depth of the field. Being in the same group as Padraig (Harrington)... Then Ernie was also there and so was Phil. Winning there was quite special," he said.

"Overall, it was the best season of my career. Golfing gods were kind to me. I would say somebody was looking after me up there," he said, looking back at a professionally brilliant year.

On the personal front, Jeev had to deal with the trauma of losing his first child after his wife Kudrat suffered a miscarriage while he played and won a Japan Tour title.

"It was all god's will. I can't fight fate," he said philosophically.

Asian Tour enjoys magical 2008

The Asian Tour celebrated historic feats and toasted great champions during what proved to be a truly magical 2008 season.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh, who won the Order of Merit for the second time in three seasons, played his way into Asian golf annals by becoming the first million-dollar man during a season where he won US$1.45 million following one victory and two runner-up finishes.

A record 30 events offering an all-time high US$39 million also saw the Tour welcome new and exciting stars in seven first-time winners, including Rookie of the Year Noh Seung-yul of Korea, Malaysia's Ben Leong, Australian Rick Kulacz and Singapore's Lam Chih Bing, who triumphed in the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia last weekend.

Established names such as Thaworn Wiratchant and Thongchai Jaidee, both from Thailand, continued to enhance their reputation by winning their 10^th career titles, making them players with the most wins on the Asian Tour.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang celebrated the best season of his career by winning twice and finishing second on the Order of Merit with US$844,734. He also ended the year in 49^th place on the Official World Golf Ranking to secure a maiden appearance at the Masters Tournament in April, the first Chinese Taipei player to do so in 20 years.

Apart from Lin and Thongchai, New Zealand's Mark Brown resurrected his career by winning two titles during an exciting 12 months which saw the Asian Tour travel to 17 different countries as the game continued to boom across the region.

The burgeoning Tour also saw the region's players increase their earning power as an unprecedented 59 players made over US$100,000 during the season, which delighted Kyi Hla Han, the Asian Tour's Executive Chairman.

"I'm really pleased with our 2008 season. It was our greatest season ever with a record Schedule on offer but what was more satisfying is the fact that our players continued to show that they are world class," said Han.

Brown, Lin and India's Arjun Atwal won co-sanctioned events with Europe while Singh, who also triumphed twice in Japan and once in Europe to rise to 35^th in the world, pulled off a memorable victory at the Barclays Singapore Open, beating Major champions Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els by one stroke.

"Jeev has enjoyed another stunning year. As one of the first players to feature in Asia during the mid-1990s, he has grown in stature through hard work and dedication and he is a fine ambassador of the game for the Asian Tour," said Han.

"It was extremely pleasing to see Jeev become the first player in our history to earn over US$1 million during a season and it shows the growing strength of the Asian Tour. He is a source of inspiration for many young players," he added.

While Han was delighted that old warhorses like Thaworn, Thongchai and Lu Wen-teh of Chinese Taipei continue to sparkle with victories, he was delighted to see a new wave of exciting players emerge.

Noh, only 17, became the third youngest to win a tournament at the Midea China Classic while Malaysia's Leong, Korea's Bae Sang-moon, Rick Kulacz of Australia are in their early 20s.

"It is extremely rewarding to see so many young players winning tournaments as part of our goal is to unearth new talent through playing opportunities on our Tour. Other young players like India's S.S.P. Chowrasia and Angelo Que of the Philippines also tasted victories which reflect positively on the growth of the Tour.

"I was also thrilled to see last year's number one Liang Wen-chong of China pull off a second career victory at the Hero Honda Indian Open where he shot a new 18-hole record of 12-under-par 60," said Han.

Han also tipped his cap off to the Asian stars who performed admirably on the Major stage. Singh finished tied 25^th in his second appearance at the US Masters and later went on to enjoy a career first top-10 at a Major by finishing tied ninth at the US PGA Championship, a feat matched by Korea's Charlie Wi.

Another Korean, K.J. Choi, an honorary member of the Asian Tour, contended at the British Open while Liang and Lam made more golf history by becoming the first player from China and Singapore respectively to feature in all four rounds at the Open.

"Our top players have continued to show that they can compete against the best players from the world. Judging from their performances, it is only a matter of time that an Asian wins a Major championship," said Han.