Leong hopes married life will drive his game further

MALAYSIA’S Ben Leong hopes marital bliss will drive him to a second Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory when he contends at the Taifong Open this week.

The 31-year-old Leong, who tied the knot with sweetheart Chai Kai Nee, is looking to gain an extra dose of confidence by winning the US$160,000 event, which will be held at the highly-rated Taifong Golf Club from June 22-25.

Leong will lead a total of 30 ADT champions which includes Order of Merit leader Brett Munson of the United States and second-placed Martin Dive of Australia, to the Taifong Open, hailed as the richest event on the ADT since its inception in 2014.

Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn, Panuwat Muenlek, Steve Lewton of England and Liu Yan-wei of China, who are all ranked inside the top-10 on the Merit list, will also feature in the event, which is the ADT’s first stop in Chinese Taipei this season.

“My game is feeling good. Everything is good, I just got married last week and am getting ready for Queen’s Cup next week before heading to the Taifong Open. I’ve been practising well and it has been good.

“Now that I’m married, I definitely feel more motivated me to do well and to work harder. There’s a lot more commitment now and I am ready to do my best at the Taifong Open,” said Leong.

Leong has enjoyed a solid season so far since regaining his Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School in January. He won his first ADT title on home soil in March and claimed two top-20 results on the region’s premier Tour. – Asian Tour