Jakarta: Shaaban Hussin believes he is prepared to cash in on the inaugural Bii Maybank ADT Challenge and boost his rankings on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit.
The Maybank ambassador, will be among an international line-up of ADT stars at the three-day US$50,000 event starting at the Imperial Golf Club on Thursday.
Ryan Bulloch of Australia, who seized the ADT Order of Merit lead with his maiden professional victory at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Terengganu Masters a fortnight ago will be joined by Peter Richardson of England and Filipino Jay Bayron.
India’s Sujjan Singh, who claimed an emphatic wire-to-wire win at the Taman Dayu Championship in Surabaya last week, and Danny Chia, who is also sponsored by Maybank, are playing through sponsor’s invitations in the ADT’s newest event.
Currently 23rd on the Order of Merit, Shaaban believes he can claim a first ADT victory after taking a much needed mid-year break with his family recently.
“I took a complete four-day break from golf after the Terengganu event and spend some valuable time with my wife and kid in Singapore. On my return, I played at the PGAM-KRPM Classic and despite not having the benefit of a practice round, I managed to finish tied second, so I am definitely eager to continue my good run,” said Shaaban.
The slender Malaysian previously held a full Asian Tour card in 2010 which he hopes to regain this season by finishing in the top-three of the ADT Order of Merit.
“I enjoy playing in Jakarta and this week will be no difference. I’m hoping to get a good start and if I am swinging it well, then a top five finish is within my sight,” added the refreshed campaigner, who turned 32 last month.
Anthony Choat of Australia, who is among a strong cast of international players in Jakarta, will be eager to improve on his fourth place ranking on the Order of Merit after finishing tied second in Taman Dayu.
The 34-year-old believes the ADT is the ideal platform to shape the career of upcoming golfers. “I have a lot to play for and hopefully I can finish the second half of the year strongly and finish in the top three of the Order of Merit. It is everything and that’s what I dream of doing,” said Choat.
“I think the Asian Tour is such a great platform for making you a world-class player. Just look at the guys coming through from the Asian Tour, it is just fantastic,” added the Australian.
This will be Maybank first foray on the Asian Development Tour and comes on the back of their long-term involvement with the Malaysian Open, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
