Champion Prayad raring to go
Prayad Marksaeng is ready to defend his title at the SMBC Singapore Open, which starts tomorrow.
“As the defending champion, I don’t feel any pressure because I have a lot of experience,” the Thai, who turns 52 later this month, said yesterday.
“I have been practising regularly and my physical condition is good. I want to prove that I can still compete against younger players.”
The US$1 million tournament at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
Prayad, who plays on both regular and senior tours, said his longevity was a result of his desire to keep playing. “I look after myself well. I don’t drink and don’t smoke, and go to bed early. I also do exercise and practise a lot,” said the Hua Hin native, who has won 10 Asian Tour and six JGTO titles.
The Asian Tour’s season opener features Pat Perez, major winners Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen, and Ryo Ishikawa.
World No.16 Perez won in Malaysia in October at the start of the PGA Tour’s Asian swing, tied for fifth at the CJ Cup in South Korea and was joint fourth at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii earlier this month.
“I have been playing well for about 15 months now. [I have] a lot of confidence in what I am doing and [am] very excited to be playing so well,” said the 41-year-old American, who is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour.
“I had shoulder surgery and I was out for eight months so there was a lot of motivation to come back. Playing well, continuing my career [motivated me] and not just be one of those guys who has a surgery and kind of disappears. So a lot of motivation.”
Malaysia’s Gavin Green will be unfazed by the big names and the pressure of being the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion at the Singapore Open.
The big-hitting Malaysian had a very successful 2017 on the Asian Tour, evident from his No.1 position on the money list. “It’s fun. I enjoy it [being the Asian Tour’s money champion),” said the 24-year-old Green. “There are obviously more expectations and pressure. I have to practise harder and step up my mind game as well.”