Asian stars resume title quests, head to Panasonic Open
>> CHIBA: The best players from the Asian Tour will head to the Land of the Rising Sun for the Panasonic Open Japan which will be staged at the Chiba Country Club in Noda City from April 20-23.
More than 30 Tour winners from over 15 countries including India’s SSP Chawrasia are set to tee off against a strong Japanese field that will also feature Hideto Tanihara and defending champion Yuta Ikeda from the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Fresh off his heroics at the Indian Open, Chawrasia will be hoping to land another title outside his country as he chases his seventh win on the Asian Tour.
Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines together with China’s Liang Wenchong and Thai hotshot Phachara Khongwatmai will also feature in the event which is one of four tournaments that will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and JGTO in 2017.
Only 17, Phachara made headlines with his battling performance in Perth last month.
Despite finishing second there, the young Thai earned plaudits for his fighting spirit and displaying maturity beyond his age.
Currently third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, the fearless Phachara is riding high on confidence and ready to take on his older peers.
“You know, when I play in tournaments, I don’t have a goal. I only hope to make the cut because I don’t want to give myself any pressure. It has been working for me so far so I will continue to focus on my own game,” said Phachara.