Jakarta: Thai rising star Pavit Tangkamolprasert hopes to continue his winning ways at the US$300,000 BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open which starts on Thursday.
The 27-year-old secured his first Asian Tour victory in Macao last month and he is eager to land his second Asian Tour title at the Pondok Indah Golf Course this week.
He will be joined by a stellar cast including Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, who won the Indonesia Open in 2013, Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, Natipong Srithong of Thailand and Carlos Pigem of Spain.
After defeating Anirban Lahiri on the first play-off hole in Macao, Pavit is now aiming to end the week on a high note to sweeten his season.
“My goal towards the end of the year is to try and get my second win as soon as possible. Your tee shots here are very important. If you have a good shot, you have a chance to get birdies. I just want to hit good golf shots,” said Pavit.
Currently ranked 12th on the Order of Merit, the tenacious Pavit hopes his new found confidence will lead him to a second victory at the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open.
“When I won on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), I had the confidence to continue winning but I felt nervous on the Asian Tour. But now after the win, I know I can win here and compete with all these guys,” said Pavit.
“Yes, I’m a different and much better player now. Previously I would tell myself ‘I can’t win’ or I just try to make the cut. Now, I believe more in myself,” added the ADT graduate.
Chiragh Kumar of India hopes to continue his fine run after finishing in a share of fourth place in Philippines last week for his best result since winning his first Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open India last year.
“I’ve been playing good all year round but I haven’t put four good rounds together. I haven’t played badly at all. I’m feeling good about my game and looking forward to the week. I’ve never played here before and it is a really good golf course. The conditions are really perfect,” said the 32-year-old.
Malaysia’s Ben Leong has a sense of de-ja-vu after winning three consecutive events on the local circuit. The 30-year-old achieved the same feat in 2008 before going on to win his first Asian Tour title in Malaysia where he defeated Thai star Thongchai Jaidee.
He struggled with injury in recent years but he is showing positive signs of a return to form.
“I’ve been playing well. After having three good weeks, you don’t usually hear people going for their fourth in a row. I’ve done it before but what’s in the past is in the past. This is a new week and I want to stay in the present and patient,” said Leong.
“If I can block out what happened or what I did previously, I think I’ll have a good week. It is always tough a good week with another good week especially when I’ve had three goods. I just want to enjoy Indonesia, the company and enjoy being out here on the Asian Tour again,” he added.
