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Defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei will lead an array of Asian Tour stars to the Brunei Open next month. The US$300,000 Asian Tour event will be played from August 21 to 24 and feature many of the region’s best players including former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia and Korean teenage phenom Noh Seung-yul.
The in-form Lin will be accompanied by compatriots Wang Ter-chang, winner of the 2006 Brunei Open, Lu Wen-teh and Lu Wen-chih in the battle for supremacy at the majestic Empire Hotel and Country Club.
However, all eyes will be on Lin who will attempt to become the first repeat winner at the Brunei Open. He has already enjoyed a successful front half of the 2008 Asian Tour season where he triumphed at the inaugural Asian Tour International in Thailand in March for his third career title in as many years.
The Taipei-based player, who comes from a family of talented golfers, also put in top-10 performances at the Philippine Open and BMW Asian Open and is presently ranked seventh on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
“The win (in Thailand) has put me on the right path towards my goals this year which is to continue to play well and win more events,” said Lin. “My putting has not been the best and I know that if I work at it, I can improve even more.
“I’m looking forward to playing in the Brunei Open.”
With one top-10 at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open, Wang will be determined to get back into the groove at the par-71 Jack Nicklaus-designed Empire course. In 2006, the veteran defeated Australia’s David Gleeson in a play-off to claim his fourth title on the Asian Tour.
Thaworn is tipped to launch another title charge in Brunei. In June, the 41-year-old claimed an unprecedented 10th title at the Bangkok Airways Open to cement his position as one of Asia’s greatest players.
“I thought I was getting too old to but I guess age is just a number,” he said. “I am looking forward to the rest of the year. My fitness level has improved and I know there is more in store for me. I’ve come to realise that I am not old when I’m playing against younger players. I am still hungry for more wins.”
Inaugural Brunei Open champion Terry Pilkadaris of Australia will also join the elite field for this year’s championship.
Brunei Shell Petroleum will title sponsor the Brunei Open with support from Brunei Tourism, under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, The Empire Hotel and Country Club, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Brunei Darussalam Golf Association together with Cross Creek and Asian Tour partner Srixon.
Profitable Group, an international company which encompasses a range of activities from the highly commercial to the philanthropic, will for the first time to be the presenting sponsor for the Brunei Open 2008.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
