India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia is hoping to regain the form that led him to six Asian Tour titles when he tees up for ‘one of his biggest tests’ at the Volvo China Open which starts on Thursday.
Chawrasia’s last victory dates back to 2017 when he last won on home soil. He has only one top-10 finish on the Asian Tour last year and missed the cut in all four events he played in the Middle East since the start of this year.
The 40-year-old, however bounced back by featuring in the weekend rounds in Malaysia and India last month and sees that as a sign of better things to come as he readies himself for the challenge at the Volvo China Open which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana is also hopeful of continuing his lightning start to his rookie season following his breakthrough in Bangladesh earlier this month.
Sadom is the record fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour. He won his maiden Asian Tour title in what was only his first start on Tour after making the grade at Qualifying School last December.
Playing in the Volvo China Open for the first time as the newest Asian Tour champion, the 20-year-old is confident of taking on a strong field which features over 40 Asian Tour champions and five Order of Merit winners at the Genzon Golf Club.
Asian Tour board member Zhang Lianwei, who won the event in 2003, will continue to feature at the Volvo China Open. The Chinese veteran will be teeing up for the 25th time this week since the event was inaugurated in 1995.
Did you know?
- S.S.P. Chawarasia’s best result at the Volvo China Open came in 2017 when he finished tied-36th.
- Out of his six wins on the Asian Tour, Chawasia’s lone win outside India came at the Resorts World Manila Masters in 2016.
- He finished in 83rd place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings last year.
- Sadom secured his 2019 Asian Tour card in his first attempt at the Qualifying School last December.
- He turned professional at the end of 2018 and broke through on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) after claiming his first professional victory at the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation in February.
- Sadom enjoyed an illustrious amateur career prior to joining the play-for-pay ranks. He was ranked as high as 10th position on the Official World Amateur Rankings and his amateur wins include the 2017 Malaysian Amateur Open, 2017 All Indian Amateur and the 2018 Dutch International Junior Open.
- The Thai also won the 2017 Singha Pattaya Open on his domestic circuit as an amateur.
- The Volvo China Open is the longest running professional golf tournament in China and is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the China Golf Association.
Players’ Quotes
S.S.P. Chawrasia (Ind)
The Volvo China Open is one of the biggest events for me. It will mean a lot to me if I can do well here as there are many things at stake for me this week. This includes keeping my card and more playing opportunities. I haven’t been playing well but my confidence is slowing returning and I feel that I can ride on that now. I’ve played at Genzon Golf Club on several occasions and I know what needs to be done to do really well this week. I have not been consistent and that’s my biggest problem. I just need to play four solid rounds and if I can do that, it’ll solve a lot of things for me.
Sadom Kaewkanjana (Tha)
It’s really exciting to be playing in the Volvo China Open this week. This will be my first time playing in this event but my confidence is really very high now and I feel like I’m capable of taking on the world! I’m not being over confident but I just feel that the win in Bangladesh has sparkled something in me and I can go on to do better things. Anytime you win a golf tournament, especially against a strong field, you begin to feel very assured of yourself. I’m going to approach this week like how I approach every event that I tee up. I want to win again.
Zhang Lianwei (Chn)
I’ve never missed any edition of the Volvo China Open and I won’t want to miss this event for anything! As an Asian Tour board member, I’m obviously pleased the event is being sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Chinese Golf Association again. It will further promote the event and also the development of the sport in Shenzhen. With the event being held in Shenzhen this year, it will be another good publicity for the city and can hopefully further promote tourism here.