Kim wants to make title bid in Malaysia
SHAH ALAM: South Korean teen wonder Kim Joo-Hyung will resume his bid for a second Asian Tour title when he makes his maiden appearance at the Malaysia Open, which gets underway at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club today.
The talented 17-year-old, who came close to winning in New Zealand last week before settling for fourth, hopes to make amends by putting up a strong title assault at the storied event, which returns to the Asian Tour this week after a four-year hiatus.
Kim made his mark on the region’s premier tour when he claimed his breakthrough in India last November, just a month after securing his third victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last season to earn his Asian Tour card for the remainder of the 2019 season.
“I played well last week in New Zealand. I have a lot of hopes for this week as well,” said Kim.
“I will try and stay hydrated out there. It’s really humid and hot. It’s fortunate enough for the Malaysia Open to happen given the virus crisis all over the world. I’m glad we all get to play this week.”
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby, who also finished in the top-10 in New Zealand, is looking to extend his fine form into the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
The 39-year-old Australian endured a slight dip in form after winning his third Asian Tour title at the seasonopener in Hong Kong but was pleased to rediscover his ‘A’ game just in time for his sixth appearance at the Malaysia tournament, where he came in tied 11th in 2015.
South Korea veteran Charlie Wi, who has won seven Asian Tour titles including the 2006 Malaysian Open, hailed the emergence of young talents such as Kim and reckoned they should be the players to look out for when the tournament gets underway today.
Wi returned to play on the Asian Tour after a five-year absence at the Hong Kong Open two months ago and came in tied-seventh.
He denied Thai star Thongchai Jaidee of a record third straight victory in Malaysia when he sank a 10-footer for birdie on the last to win by one shot in 2006.