Fung banks on new putter

Nicholas Fung ©Khalid Redza/Asian Tour
Nicholas Fung ©Khalid Redza/Asian Tour

Kuala Lumpur: National number one Nicholas Fung hopes a new putter will get him on a roll when he makes his debut at the prestigious US$7 million CIMB Classic on Thursday. 

The highly-rated Malaysian has changed no fewer than seven putters this season after struggling to hole his fair share of putts but hopes the newest flat stick in his bag will help him tame the tricky greens at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

“I tried to practice more on my short game because my putting is not so good at the moment. I tried to change putters and tried to find the best putter for me. Now I think I’ve got the best putter after changing more than seven putters this year,” said Fung.

The 23-year-old, who hails from Sabah, will be joined by countryman Rashid Ismail at the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA TOUR. Among the top names in the elite field include 2012 Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia of Spain, Phil Mickelson of the United States, Ernie Els of South Africa, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and talented Indians Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri.

“It means a lot to me that I’m playing in this event because I can see how the players play and learn from them. I wish I will have a chance to play with Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler. I want to see how the bomb it and how long they can hit past me,” said the bespectacled Fung, who earned his place in the field by virtue of being the highest ranked Malaysian in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Fung dreams of becoming the first Malaysian to win and play on the PGA TOUR but knows it will be a tall order on a course which does not suit his game. “I’ve played here many times but I missed many cuts as well! This is a tough course because I always get trapped in the bunkers. But I think this time, I’ll definitely try my best to play better than previously,” said Fung, who will tee-off his first round at 7:30 am alongside Cameron Tringale and David Lynn.