Bangkok: Malaysia will miss the services of national number one Gavin Kyle Green at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which tees off on Thursday at Amata Springs Country Club.
The University of New Mexico sophomore, ranked 101st in the world, declined an invitation to participate in the premier event organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and the Royal & Ancient for the second consecutive year, citing examinations and playing commitments.
In his absence, nationals Muhammad Arie Irawan Ahmad Fauzi (287) and Low Khai Jei (468) will spearhead a six-player line-up including seasoned amateurs Abel Tam (576), Mohd Afif Mohd Razif (790) and Chan Tuck Soon (864) as well as Malaysia Games (SUKMA) gold medalist Albright Chong Ming Soon of Sabah, who received a wildcard call-up.
One-hundred and twenty leading players from the 36 Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) member countries have been flown into the Thai capital for the tournament with each nation automatically receiving two invitations, based on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) as of August 29.
The rest of the field is then made up of invitations by ranking, with each country allowed up to a maximum of six players while host Thailand can have up to 10 spots.
Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) vice-president Low Teck San, who is also the team manager for the event, expressed confidence that his charges will make up for the absence of the country’s amateur champion.
“We made all efforts possible to get Gavin to join up with the team in Bangkok but it was unfortunate that his examinations once again came in the way. While it is definitely a loss for us based on his recent form at the World Amateur Team Championship and collegiate tournaments, I believe Khai Jei and Arie will definitely make use of their experience at the international level to shine,” said Low, adding that he expected at least four of the players to advance into the weekend rounds.
Khai Jei finished as the best placed Malaysian in last year’s championship at Singapore Island Country Club when he finished tied 12th and the national junior champion is raring to go.
“I don’t want to get to ahead of myself as I realise how competitive the field is. My first target is to play all four rounds and if I can get a feel of the course early on, then we can start setting a target,” shared the 16-year-old, who will be playing at the challenging Amata Spring layout for the first time.
Two-time defending champion and world number two Hideki Matsuyama of Japan will start as the early favourite and seek to earn his third consecutive appearance at Masters Tournament next year. The winner and runner(s)-up will also earn starts at the International Final Qualifying (IFQ-Asia) for The Open Championship in 2013.
