Sports

Sunday May 11, 2008

Danny on a mission

By Y.P. SIVAM
Photos by AZLINA ABDULLAH


sivam@thestar.com.my

In a bid to do better than last time out, Chia will employ a local caddie to guide him around Royal Birkdale.

MALAYSIA'S Danny Chia journey for a better outing in the British Open has begun.

The 36-year-old Chia, considered the most successful professional golfer in the country, made his maiden appearance in the Open in 2005. Then the championship was played at the St Andrews.

Just like any other rookie, it was a dream come true for the excited Chia to line up against the stars at St Andrews. He went through the net and gathered a lot of information on the course layout and conditions.

Improving his putting will be Chia’s main focus before going to Birkdale.

“I studied the course on the Internet. I assumed that I had gained information on the course to put up a strong challenge in the British Open. But it was a different situation in St Andrews. The course was not like what I had envisaged. The layout was not as what it seemed to me and I had a tough time adapting to the conditions.

“The 17th hole was a killer and I had a difficult time playing it,'' recalled Chia during a recent interview.

Despite the shortcomings, Chia, who joined the pro ranks in 1996, gave a good account of himself but missed the halfway cut by two strokes.

For Chia, it was a valuable lesson learnt and the experience has made him a wiser golfer. And come July 17, Chia, the first Malaysian to win an Asian Tour event when he won the Taiwan Open in 2002, will return to the Open for the second time.

Chia earned his ticket to the Open at the Royal Birkdale after finishing as the champion in the International Final Qualifying for Asia at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore in March.

In the two-round competition Chia produced superb birdies on the 16th and 17th holes on the second day to finish on top with a 138 total (69-69), a stroke ahead of Australian Adam Blyth.

The Australian also qualified for the Open along with Singaporean Lam Chih Bing and the Philippines' Angelo Que. Both Lam and Angelo had to go through a tensed play-off with Japan's Tomohito Kondo to earn their tickets to Royal Birkdale.

Of course, Chia feels proud and honoured to carry the Jalur Gemilang in the Open. But after his experience in St Andrews, he does not want to give false hopes to the Malaysians.

“Just like any other golfer, I am also keen to do well but it is hard to predict. Naturally, I don't want to put any pressure on myself. I have seen a picture of the course layout and also gathered some information after surfing the net.

“But that information alone will not help my journey in the British Open. I need more assistance. So I have decided to get a local caddie to guide me,'' said Chia.

This year has been an impressive one for Chia on the Asian Tour. Except for the Indonesian Open, Chia has made the cut in each tournament he has played. In the Indian Open he finished fifth, was 37th in the Thailand Open, 42nd in the Malaysian Open and second in the Philippines Open.

In the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, Chia stormed the leaderboard when he fired a bogey-free 65 in the opening round. The following day Chia carded a five-under 67 to lead the field. A huge crowd was present to follow Chia around the course on the third day but he failed to maintain his momentum and eventually tumbled out of the running with an 80. He eventually ended the competition on seven-under 281.

The British Open this year will give Danny another chance to do good at a Major championship.

However, Chia has forgotten the episode in the Malaysian Open.

“The Malaysian Open is over and I have learnt from the mistakes. I hope I don't encounter the same situation in forthcoming competitions. I am a professional and I have to look ahead. It is no point brooding over the past. Sometimes I have a bad outing and some weeks I play exceptionally well. These are some of the thrills and trials involved in golf. I cannot run away from them. I have to accept them and take the challenges,' said Chia.

Prior to his flight to Royal Birkdale, Chia, who is currently ranked 37th on the Asian Tour with earnings of US$60,170 from seven starts, will play about four events.

He believes he would be able to get his game right before the tee off of the British Open.

“I am not brave enough to say that my game's perfect. There are flaws but with practice, I am confident of improving them. My putting has been inconsistent. I have to work on that department and I have time to do that,'' said Chia

Well, Chia, have you set any targets for yourself in the British Open?

“I don't think it is fair on me to set any targets now. I will be in England a week prior to the British Open. It will be an opportunity to get used to the weather conditions as well as the course conditions. Maybe after the practice round I will be in a better position to make comment. My manager is making contacts to get me an accomplished caddie. He has a big role to play in my campaign. It is important for me to make the cut. But more importantly, I want to enjoy myself and also cherish the atmosphere at Royal Birkdale.''

Our best wishes go to Chia and the other members of the Asian tour contingent.

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