On Green, Green grass of home
Gavin the best bet to end Malaysian drought
SUBANG: No Malaysian has won a flagship international golf tournament on home soil.
But Gavin Kyle Green certainly looks the best bet to end the drought at the Maybank Championship which begins tomorrow at the Saujana Golf and Country Club.
Having created history by becoming the first Malaysian to emerge as the Asian Tour No. 1 last year, Gavin has teed off to a solid start in the early season.
The 24-year-old hit the ground running three weeks ago by starring for Team Asia with two points in their 10-14 defeat to Team Europe at the EurAsia Cup.
He then registered a joint-eighth placing at the Asian Tour’s Singapore Open and was tied 45th at the European Tour’s Omega Dubai Desert Masters last Sunday.
It would be such a fitting end to the tournament if Gavin, who is the Maybank ambassador, can go on to emerge champion.
In 2016, Gavin missed the cut in the inaugural edition at the Royal Selangor Golf Club but improved in his second appearance last year, finishing joint 47th.
Asked if he considered himself a genuine contender, Gavin confidently said: “Definitely ... there’s a chance (to win). I feel I’m mentally and physically prepared.
“My game has tightened up and I’ve been working really hard with my coaches.
“I need to stay patient and handle the pres- sure of playing in front of the home crowd.
“Patience is obviously a huge thing in golf. I know everybody says it but it’s true.
“If you don’t have patience, there is no way you will succeed.”
Gavin also has more reason to be upbeat this week as he now has experienced caddie Mark Crane by his side. He started his partnership with the Scot – who replaces his father Gary – in Dubai last week.
“It has been working well so far. We’re trying to get comfortable with each other. He caddied for Paul Casey, Chris Wood and he has the experience of being a caddie in the Ryder Cup and Majors.
“Somebody of that level telling me what to do is a different thing.”
Gavin is also looking forward to having his younger brother, Galven, playing alongside him this week.
Galven, who’s studying in the United States, made the 156-man field thanks to a sponsor’s invite.
Gavin joked he can’t afford to lose to his 18-year-old sibling – at all costs.
“If my brother (Galven) beats me, I won’t be talking to him for a long time! He has no practice round and will only be arriving on Thursday morning.
“He has requested for a late tee time so if he beats me, I won’t talk to him for a long time.
“Thankfully, he hasn’t called me and asked for advice but my father will be caddying for him and he has gone out to do his homework.”