Chonburi, Thailand: Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung is hopeful of a grandstand finish at this week’s Thailand Golf Championship following a spate of recent near-misses.

The 25-year-old will be making his third appearance at US$1 million Thai showpiece at the Amata Spring Country Club and has programmed himself to be on a ‘holiday’ mode as he seeks his maiden breakthrough on the Asian Tour.

“I hope this would finally be my week. But I’m telling myself to take it easy and treat this week like I’m on a holiday. This way, there will be less pressure on myself and I can play my best especially with the form I’m in,” said Fung.

It has been the case of so close, yet so far for the Malaysian since his title charge in Singapore where he came agonizingly close to his Asian Tour breakthrough only to settle for second place last month.

Fung was also in contention during the early rounds of tournament in Manila and finished tied for 12th in Vietnam last week.

“I think what helped recently was my state of mind. I started playing with a more relaxed attitude and was enjoying my game without all the stress.

“Before that, I guess I pushed myself too hard as I was trying very hard to keep my card for next year. It didn’t really work out and I thought maybe it’s best I change my mindset,” said Fung, who missed the cut on five occasions in 10 starts prior to his revival in Singapore.

While Fung credited his recent resurgence to his new-found self-belief, Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera knows his battling spirit will eventually see him prevail and make his way into the winner’s circle.

Like Fung, Perera also had to deal with several near misses, most notably in India where he fought his way into contention only to finish third.

“I don’t give up. I know my win will come as my game is so good right now. My ball striking has been excellent and I’m just waiting for that perfect week to all come together,” said Perera.

With a prized spot at next month’s EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM at stake, Perera is determined to put up a gallant fight against the game’s leading lights.

“I want to give a good fight as this is my last chance to make it into the team for the EurAsia Cup next month.

“I’ve made the cut twice in my last two appearance. This is one of my favourite golf courses in Asia and I always feel good whenever I come here to Amata Spring Country Club,” said Perera.

The fifth edition of the Thailand Golf Championship will welcome more than 15 of the world’s top-200 players including Major champions such as Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer, Y.E. Yang and Darren Clarke.