Asia's 'Bashful Prince' Aims To Outgun Future European 'Knight'


Bangkok (January 4): Both the Asian and European teams will be able to boast their own royal connections when Europe and Asia do battle in this week’s Royal Trophy. Asia's bid to defend the magnificent solid-silver 16-kilogram perpetual Trophy graciously donated by His Majesty the King of Thailand, will be spearheaded by Ryo Ishikawa, also know to his army of fans as ‘The Bashful Prince’. Ishikawa certainly deserves to be classed as golfing royalty after his exploits in the past 2½ years since he became the youngest ever player to win on one of golf's top-level Tours – claiming the first of his six victories on the Japan Golf Tour as a 15-year-old amateur.

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Asian Ace Singh Setting Sights On 2010 American Adventure


Bangkok (December 31): The Royal Trophy will be the start of yet another adventure for Asian golf's most accomplished globe-trotter – Jeev Milkha Singh. After enjoying tremendous success on his home continent, and on the European and Japan Tours, the Indian superstar has decided to base himself in America in 2010. Singh has taken up membership of the US Tour, taking advantage of the opportunity afforded to him by his climb into the top 50 of the world rankings. It is a challenge that clearly excites Singh, who has never been afraid to test his game in every corner of the golfing globe. "I have won 19 titles in my professional career, and it would be nice if I could win number 20 in America," said Singh, who will be a key member of the Asian team at next month's Royal Trophy.

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Asian Strongman Prayad Primed To Repel European Challenge


Bangkok (December 28): Prayad Marksaeng is determined to savour that winning feeling again when he links up with fellow Thai Thongchai Jaidee to form Asia's Royal Trophy spearhead next month. The Thai duo were in superlative form on home soil to inspire Asia's memorable 10-6 triumph over Europe at the start of 2009 and were the only players from either team to emerge with a 100 per cent record, winning all three of their matches in emphatic style. Young Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, who arrived at the Amata Spring Country Club with a big reputation, must have been particularly pleased to bid farewell to Prayad. Larrazabal was on the receiving end of two crushing defeats from Prayad as the Asian golfer responded brilliantly to the enthusiastic support of the huge Thai galleries.

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Past Champions Ochoa And Shin Prepare For Singapore Showdown


Singapore (December 23): Mexican Lorena Ochoa and South Korean Shin Ji-yai will resume their battle for the world number one ranking when they go head-to-head in the third edition of the US$1.3 million HSBC Women's Champions. Ochoa, winner of the inaugural event in 2008, and 2009 champion Shin have confirmed their places in the starting line-up at Singapore's Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) from February 25-28. Ochoa, the LPGA Tour's Rolex Player of the Year for a fourth consecutive season in 2009, said: “I am very much looking forward to returning to Tanah Merah and trying to win a second HSBC Women’s Champions title. Singapore is a fantastic city to visit and I am sure that we will have another excellent tournament in February.”

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Asian Golf Monthly Awards 2009: Winners Take Their Bow


Singapore (December 22): As Peter Thomson stepped onto the stage, prolonged applause reverberated around the grand ballroom at the Palace of the Golden Horses. It was a poignant moment, not only for the five-time British Open champion, but also for the historic Royal Melbourne Golf Club – and the Asian Golf Monthly Awards. For the first time since the region’s most prestigious golf club awards were inaugurated in 2000, and in commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the geographic reach of the Asian Golf Monthly Awards was extended to include Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands. And the votes flooded in for Royal Melbourne’s fabled West Course which duly earned the accolade as the Best Course in Asia Pacific.

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Asian Golf Monthly Awards 2009: Best In Asia Pacific Winners


Singapore (December 22): Following are the top-five place-getters in each of the 10 'Best in Asia Pacific' categories in the 2009 Asian Golf Monthly Awards.

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