Kota Kinabalu [SABAH]: Lim Eng Seng is hoping that he can cap off a fantastic 2014 season by gaining his playing rights on OneAsia.
The 32-year-old knows that an assured finish at the ASEAN PGA Tour’s season-ending Sabah Masters, which tees off Wednesday, will pave the way for him to compete on the more lucrative pan-Asian circuit this year.
With Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul having already wrapped up the Merit list title, the focus at the prestigious Tour Championship will shift to the battle for the remaining four spots on the Road to Sabah Masters rankings.
His victory at the PGM ASEAN PGA PD Championship sees Lim occupying sixth place, with only US$70 separating him from Filipino Jhonnel Ababa, who occupies the final qualifying spot with a haul of US$9,493.50.
And with a prize purse of US$100,000 on offer at the Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club this week, Lim is optimistic of his chances.
“I had a good three-week break and was able to re-charge for the new season. It was good to have a local tournament last week to just find my footing again. There is a lot riding here this week at the Sabah Masters and I’m raring to get going,” said Lim, whose best finish at the tournament was tied-11th in 2011.
His win at Port Dickson last October was only his second title in the paid ranks – a good four years after claiming his breakthrough at the PGAM Clearwater Classic in 2010.
“It is a vindication of all the hard work I’ve been putting in and it was really rewarding to leave behind my stagnant form and indifferent results over the last two years. I took my chances well that week and to finally win on the ASEAN PGA Tour after having led the inaugural event [the International Championship] in Indonesia all those years back in 2007, felt really good,” he added.
Lim acknowledges that earning a card on OneAsia will be a step-up for him, considering the opportunities of competing in Australia where he trains.
“It is something that you can look forward to. Securing a card on any international circuit is a bonus and with OneAsia boasting events with a minimum purse of US$1 million, what more can I ask for. No doubt, it will great to end my year with a couple of starts in Australia and just have my coach and family members Down Under coming out and cheering me on,” shared the easy-going Malaysian.
