American Brett Munson hopes to find success again when he returns to defend his title at the PGM CCM Rahman Putra Championship which starts on Wednesday.
Munson, who finished fifth on the Asian Development Tour’s (ADT) Order of Merit last season, enjoyed his maiden ADT victory in what was only his second event on the burgeoning Tour last year.
Fresh from a notable tied-13th finish in Terengganu and not missing a single cut so far this season, Munson is confident of keeping the momentum going in the RM200,000 (approximately US$55,400) event which will be held at the Kelab Rahman Putra.
“The game’s feeling good at the moment. I think it’s getting better and I’m heading towards the right direction. I’m looking forward to defend my title this week! I guess you always do better when you’re in your comfort zone. This course suits my game well,” said the 28-year-old American.
Munson, who recalled having to battle through hazy conditions for his very first ADT title last year, is determined to put up a strong defence when he steps up to the tee on Wednesday.
“Winning my first ADT title last year was really a big deal for me. It was my first year in Asia and only my second start on the ADT. I remember playing in the haze last year! It wasn’t the best condition to play golf but I guess that was what makes it memorable. I’m playing with more confidence after a great season on the ADT,” added Munson.
Munson will be part of the elite cast from 21 countries to tee up at the Kelab Rahman Putra and they include reigning Order of Merit champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, James Byrne of Scotland, England’s Grant Jackson, Canadian Lindsay Renolds and Australian Adam Blyth.
Current Order of Merit leader Arie Irawan will spearhead the local charge alongside Asian Tour stalwart Danny Chia, 2013 ADT Order of Merit champion Nicholas Fung, Ben Leong, Shaaban Hussin and one-time ADT winner Wilson Choo in this week’s event.
Thailand’s Panuwat Muenlek, who won his maiden ADT win in Terengganu last week, Japan’s Masaru Takahashi, Christopher Cannon of England and Indonesian George Gandranata will also feature in the event, which is the fourth leg of the ADT schedule this season.
Since it was inaugurated in 2010, the ADT has grown from five events in the first year to a record 21 tournaments in 2014. The ADT has announced a provisional 2015 schedule of a minimum 18 tournaments with several more to be announced in due course.
The ADT will continue to reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2016.
With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning Official World Golf Ranking points through the Asian Tour and ADT.
Arie, who won the ADT season-opener on home soil earlier in January, and Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, who finished second on the ADT Order of Merit last season following three victories, are currently in the field for the Olympic Games based on this week’s rankings.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.
