It's do-or-die for many Asian Tour hopefuls when they tee off at the USUS$200,000 Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam presented by Thai Airways International on Thursday.
The Carlsberg Masters Vietnam will be the final full field event for most players as the next two tournaments after this week's stop in Hanoi are co-sanctioned with Europe, followed by the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia which is limited to the top-60 players on the Order of Merit.
Malaysia’s Danny Chia is amongst those who will be hoping for a swing of fortune as he competes at Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club this week. The 33-year-old Chia, who clinched the 2002 Taiwan Open title, is cutting it thin as he lies in 61st spot on the Order of Merit.
Players need to finish inside the top-60 to earn their full playing privileges on the Asian Tour for the 2006 season and Chia hopes to clinch his 2006 card this week with a strong showing.
Filipino Gerald Rosales is another player who will be making a last ditch attempt to improve on his present 76th-place ranking on the money list. Former Asian number one Lin Keng-chi presently sits in 60th place on the Order of Merit.
India's Amandeep Johl is also pushing it to the limit as he is ranked a rung below Chia but unlike the Malaysian, Johl will get to play in the next two events – the Volvo China Open and UBS Hong Kong Open – to boost his hopes.
For Chia, his hopes depend squarely on this week's performance at the Carlsberg Masters Vietnam, which was inaugurated last year. After a strong start to the season, the Malaysian has missed four of his last five cuts to lie on the bubble.
"I'm trying to not look at the Order of Merit and not think about my position but you can never help it. However, I'm quite confident of finishing inside the top-60. My driving has let me down a bit over the last few weeks but I've been working hard at it and feel good about my game.
"This is basically my last tournament of the year and I'm looking forward to having a good week. The course is great shape, better than last year in fact," said Chia.
The pressure will also be mounting on India’s Johl, who found some good form with a tied eighth finish at the inaugural Double A International Open in Thailand two weeks ago. The 36-year-old Indian will be gunning for a strong finish in Hanoi.
"I have been through this many times before so I do not want to sweat about it," said Johl. "I don't want to pressure myself as I want to go out there and enjoy my game. I am playing well and have a lot to look forward too here.
"It has a great set-up here and the course is in good condition but I feel the course favours good ball-strikers", he added.
Chinese Taipei's Sung Mao-chang, like Chia, will play in his last event of the year at the Carlsberg Masters Vietnam and knows that he needs a big result this week to earn his full playing rights on the Asian Tour next season.
The Tour hopeful only need to look at defending champion Angelo Que of the Philippines for inspiration. Last year, Que had submitted his Qualifying School forms but went on to register a stunning victory, beating Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and former US Open champion Corey Pavin to lift the inaugural Carlsberg Masters Vietnam title.
The winner of this week's event will receive USUS$31,500 followed by second placed with USUS$21,600 while third place is worth USUS$12,100.
P.V
Vietnamese
