Perth, Australia: Asia’s best players will get a chance to showcase their quality when they head to Australia for the first time since 2009 for the ISPS Handa Perth International which starts next week.
No fewer than 20 Asian Tour champions will tee up at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club from February 25 to 28, ready to serve notice of their talents when the A$1.75 million which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia gets underway.
India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia, a three-time Asian Tour winner, will be among the Asian contingent expected to put up a good showing Down Under.
Despite not having any competitive experience in Australia, the 37-year-old is upbeat about his chances in Perth.
“I have never been to Australia before and this will be my first time there. I’m really excited. The field is a strong one but I’m looking forward to going up against the best players from the European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.
“I don’t know much about the course but it’s okay, I just need a practice round and I’ll find out how the course conditions will be and whether they suit me,” said Chawrasia.
Chawrasia has won three times on home soil and is seeking to claim his first win abroad since he turned professional almost two decades ago.
He finished tied-fifth in Myanmar last week and believes he has the ability to contend for the Perth showpiece.
“My game is sharp and I’m putting the ball very well. Once I get used to those conditions, I’ll be ready,” said Chawrasia.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who featured in the recent EurAsia Cup where he contributed to two half points for Team Asia in the Fourball and Foursomes format, is also eager to get his title ambitions going next week.
“I'm really excited about playing in Perth as I've heard so much nice things about the place.
I’m really happy we got a chance to go back to Australia again after so many years and it's time for us to deliver a good show,” said the Malaysian.
Apart from the top Asian Tour players expected to light up the ISPS Handa Perth International, major winner Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa will also headline the event alongside the stars from Europe including Italy’s Matteo Manassero and France’s Victor Dubuisson.
Tickets for the Perth International start from $22 and are available now at www.perthinternational.com or directly at Ticketmaster. Children under 16 will gain free entry with a paying adult ticket holder.
