Maybank Malaysian Open: Beware of surprises

04 March 2010 , By New Straits Times

THE US$2 million (RM7 million) Maybank Malaysian Open has never failed to spring a few upsets, so it would be a risk to bet on a big name coming out best at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) this weekend.

And with this year's field considered only average, even the Malaysian pros have a good chance of making the cut, and then make an attempt to finish among the the top 10 on Sunday. Shingo Katayama parted a valuable tip which could come in handy when he said: "The course is tricky and tough but I like it very much.

Just beware of the second shot on the 18th as there is a bunker in the middle of the fairway.

Just avoid that trap." The Japanese, unmistakable with his cowboy hat for the last 10 years, has finally decided to switch. "It will be the first time that I will wear a pork-pie hat.

No more cowboy hats for me.

It's finished, and this is the new Shingo.
I am not young anymore and even the billboard at the KLGCC says Youth v Veteran, and I'm a veteran now," lamented the 37-year-old who has 26 national titles, and finished joint seventh at the last Maybank Malaysian Open. Seven-time US Tour winner K.J.

Choi has made it clear that he is here to win another title after clinching the Johor Iskandar Open in October last year. The Korean is confident he will have a good week to boost his chances of returning into the world's top 50 and qualify for the US Masters in April. The other early favourites for the title are two-time champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, former Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke, defending champion Anthony Kang of the United States, Sweden's Daniel Chopra and India's Arjun Atwal. "It is very good to be back.

I feel the love already and I'm having a good time right now.

I'm going to enjoy the rest of the week," said Choi. Choi was in the top-10 bracket in 2007 but has since dropped to his current 96th spot.

However, the Iskandar Open boosted his morale and this year has made all five cuts on the US PGA Tour. Malaysian Open defending champion Kang ended an eight-year title drought last season, and he knows the score. "It's been hit-and-miss in terms of performance but the most gratifying aspect of winning the tournament last year was that it opened up a lot of doors for me.

I haven't been scoring as well as I would like but I see a lot of positive signs in my game and I'm really excited about this year, including this tournament," he said.