Fraser set to defend Maybank Championship title

PETALING JAYA: The inaugural Maybank Championship Malaysia champion Marcus Fraser is ready to defend the title despite having to play at a different venue.

“There’s always a little bit of added pressure. A different course, a different field this year, so it will be competitive out there. I was fortunate to cross over the line last year and you’ll never know what will happen this year.

“You’ve got to do everything right to have a chance. It’s pretty tough out there but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he told reporters yesterday.

The second edition of the Maybank Championship Malaysia will be held at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in Subang for four days starting today.

“It’s always nice to come back as the defending champion which I’ve not experienced too much throughout my career but it is nice when it does happen,” added Fraser.

The 38- year- old Australian noted that he has fond memories playing at Saujana GCC and among them was in 2002 when he won the individual title at the Eisenhower Trophy. “It was such a big occasion. As an amateur, it was your number one goal to play in the Eisenhower Trophy and I was fortunate enough to win the individual title and third in the team. That gave me confidence when I turned pro,” he said adding that the course was still challenging although there are a few changes.

“They’ve opened up the greens a bit more and still kept the severity to it with the slopes on the greens. It’s a good course to play and I’m looking forward to it.”

Sharing the same sentiments about the course was former world number one Lee Westwood.

“Honestly, I don’t remember a lot about the win here 20 years ago. I just remember being associated with Saujana for two or three great years in the mid 90s,” said the 43year- old Englishman.

As part of Maybank’s commitment to support the growth of the game across the Asean region, top players from five Asean countries (who would not otherwise qualify through their ranking on the Asian Tour Order of Merit) have been given a chance to compete in the US$ 3 million championship.