Scott Hend of Australia is looking forward to his title defence at the Indonesia President Invitational at Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) course later this month.
The US$400,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Indonesian PGA (PGPI) and organised by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI), will take place from July 23 to 26 and mark the start of the second half of the Asian Tour's 2009 season.
The Indonesia President Invitational has also attracted top Asian Tour stars including South African James Kamte, winner of the season-opening Asian Tour International, Singapore's Lam Chih Bing, Korea's Noh Seung-yul and inaugural champion Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines.
The third edition of the event, which is supported by platinum sponsor Pertamina and main sponsor Qatar Telecom, was played at the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) course last year where Hend won his maiden Asian Tour title.
"Winning last year meant so much to me as I had been playing well for a long time but came up short of winning. What stands out the most from last year was that I shot a great weekend score (66-66) against trying conditions and it was awesome to feel the emotions of lifting a trophy again," Hend said.
The change in venue to BSD course, which hosted the inaugural event in 2007, will not deter the big-hitting Aussie from a successful defence.
"Defending on a different course is not ideal as I like the one from last year but having played this year's course two years ago, I do have a liking for it and I will be trying to find the same form which helped me win last year," said Hend.
Sweet-swinging Pagunsan will relish a return to the BSD course as he won his first title at the inaugural tournament in 2007. Pagunsan plans to relive his memorable triumph where he shot a birdie and eagle over the closing two holes to pip India's Gaganjeet Bhullar by a single stroke.
"I still replay the shots that I hit over the closing two holes," said Pagunsan, who was rookie of the year in 2007.
Also in the fray is Kamte whose rookie season in Asia is turning out to be a memorable one. Kamte earned his Tour card at Qualifying School despite enduring 12 stitches near his toe and went on to claim victory at the Asian Tour International in Bangkok.
Kamte, who is a product of the Ernie Els Foundation, will also look to put his recent experience at the US Open to good use even though he agonizingly failed to make the cut by two strokes.
The local challenge will be carried by the promising Rory Hie. The 21-year-old earned his 2009 Asian Tour card this year when he finished in the top-40 at the Qualifying School in Thailand and has already produced several eye-catching performances.
Indradi Soemardjan, CEO of Ancora Sports, said: "We would like to thank our sponsors Pertamina and Qatar Telecom for their outstanding support. It is our hope that this event will continue to promote golf in Indonesia and help our country to unearth new stars. Rory Hie is one such talented golfer to emerge from the ranks and we hope that more young golfers will find the inspiration to excel in this great game."
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the popularity of golf in Indonesia was growing because events such as the Indonesia President Invitational would attract the best golfers from the Asian Tour.
"The Indonesia President Invitational is one of the most popular tournaments on the Asian Tour's calendar and our players always enjoy competing in Jakarta. We have immense talent around Asia and this tournament will serve as a stage for our players to showcase their skills. We are confident that with more tournaments like this, we will see many more talented golfers emerging from the region," said Han.
(China.org.cn July 3, 2009)
