Jakarta: Scott Hend took a different approach in his preparations for the Indonesia Open which starts on Thursday, when he took time off from golf to take up a regular job.

The powerful Australian took almost a week’s break from golf when he helped his brother-in-law, who is a qualified electrical engineer in Brisbane, to drill, dig holes and lay cables.

The experience has given Hend, who has won three Asian Tour titles this season, a new sense of motivation to aim for another victory at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course, the venue where he won his first Asian Tour title in 2008.

Currently ranked second on the Order of Merit, Hend will feature in the US$750,000 Asian Tour event alongside Major champion Retief Goosen of South Africa, Daniel Chopra of Sweden, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time Order of Merit winner, will also be in the elite field with India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar, Liang Wen-chong of China, who won his third Asian Tour title two weeks ago and an in-form Siddikur of Bangladesh.

“I worked with my brother-in-law on his work site. I helped him and didn’t touch a golf club at all until Saturday. When I was done, I was pretty tired! I actually needed a break from golf and it was quite refreshing to experience how people work hard in their daily jobs!” said the 40-year-old Hend.

“For sure it made me appreciate my golf career even more! You are out there on the work site, drilling and digging holes and laying cables. Well that sort of stuff makes my job a lot easier!” he explained.

Winning his first Asian Tour title in Indonesia is still a vivid memory for Hend, who will be aiming to equal Thaworn’s record of winning four titles in a single season in 2005 this week.


“I actually didn’t know that I won the tournament (in 2008) so it is nice to come back here and relive those memories! To win three times anywhere is good especially with the competition we have on the Asian Tour. I have a few more tournaments to try and win so we will see how that works out,” said Hend.

A 12-week stretch resulted in two Asian Tour victories for Bhullar last year and he hopes to repeat the feat when he plays in his 10th straight event after representing his country at the World Cup of Golf last week.

“Mentally, I’m still young,” joked Bhullar. “Mentally I’m right up there and I can still win tournaments in any given week. I just need to put a few things together at the same time and once things start rolling then it will be a really good few weeks.”

“I always play well when I play few weeks in a row. I’m really looking forward to playing a couple of weeks on a trot. It works for me because I feel that I’m in the moment and I really enjoy playing week after week,” said the Indian.


Ranked fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Liang of China is determined to continue his winning form after his successful campaign at the Resorts World Manila Masters two weeks ago.

“My victory in Manila was like achieving another milestone in my golf career. I am glad to be able to win on the Asian Tour again. It has been some time since my last win. I think I’ve achieved my goal for this year.

“I feel a little tired physically but I am looking forward to another great finish this week. My wrist injury is getting better. This is a course I am familiar with so I’ve set some high expectations for myself,” said Liang, who became China’s first Asian Tour Order of Merit winner in 2007.

Prom Meesawat of Thailand insists that he has moved on from his play-off defeat to Liang in the Philippines two weeks ago but the goal to win his second Asian Tour title since 2006 remains as his top priority.

“I’ve cleared everything on the playoff off my mind. I have to move on with my game. Obviously I’m still looking for a second win on the Asian Tour. Hopefully, it will come soon. I’m in a good form right now so hopefully I can maintain my form until the end of the season,” said Prom.


The 39th edition of Indonesia’s national championship, which has a rich and illustrious history dating back to its first edition in 1974, is the nation’s oldest golf tournament.

Fans from around the world can also watch these world class golfers in action through the live broadcast on the Asian Tour Media platform. Asian Tour Media will produce 16 hours of live coverage from the event which will be seen across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America plus further coverage and distribution generated via the highlights and magazine programmes from the event, resulting in global media exposure for all the sponsors involved in this prestigious tournament.

The 2013 Indonesia Open is supported by some of the most recognisable domestic and international brands, which include BANK BRI, Total E&P Indonesie, Japfa, PT. Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, JS Luwansa Hotel & Convention Center, Pertamina, Harum Energy, Bintang, Sequislife, Subway, Beringer, Mazda, Srixon, Loewe, Danone, Hypernet, Ricoh, White Horse and Maui Jim.