Steel plans to steal the show at Iskandar Johor Open
Johor Bahru, October 12, 2010 - Malaysia’s Iain Steel hopes to continue his recent renaissance by challenging for the US$1.25 million Iskandar Johor Open which starts on Thursday.
The Asian Tour strongman has bounced back to form after a dismal start to the season and he plans to upstage the stars including title holder K.J. Choi of Korea, double US Open champion Retief Goosen, Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and team member Padraig Harrington at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Noh Seung-yul of Korea and second-ranked Marcus Fraser of Australia are also in this week’s elite event, which boasts a record prize fund in what is its fourth edition.
Steel needed to show some steely resolve after starting out the year with six consecutive missed cuts but the 39-year-old has turned the corner with a top-three and tied 12th finish in his last two events.
“I’ve played well the past few weeks. I’ve played solid,” said Steel today. “Since June, I’ve been playing nicely and let’s hope the train continues and hopefully I can improve on some positions that I’ve had lately.”
He credited work with his sports psychologist for helping him bounce back. “Between the number one player in the world and 1,000th in the world, a lot of it is upstairs (the mind). A lot of us can hit golf balls. It depends on who’s got the toughness in the couple of inches between the ears,” he said.
“I’ve been making light of things rather than making things as important as they seem. I’m trying to keep myself on an even keel, not to get too high and not to get too low. From 2009 till halfway through this year, it’s been terrible. But I’ve been working on the mental side and the golf has come back a lot quicker than I expected,” said Steel, who is of Malaysian-Scottish parentage.
While Steel is still seeking for the elusive first victory on the Asian Tour, Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul, the Tour’s latest first-time winner when he won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters two weeks ago, is hoping to let the good times roll.
The 26-year-old, a graduate from Purdue University and a licenced pilot, knows he must keep his feet firmly on the ground. “It kind of sunk in eventually,” said Pariya of his breakthrough. “But you’ve got to put the win behind you. It’s a big relief to get a first win and now, you want to try to maintain and keep your standard and improve.
“The Iskandar Johor Open is a big event and the course here is a challenge. It’s not as long as some others but you’ve got to put the ball on the fairway to give yourself an opportunity. I’m not going to walk taller or anything like that. I’m just going out to try to shoot as best a score that I can,” he added.
Pariya added he did not have the opportunity to bask in his hour of glory immediately after his win in Taipei. “I was more nervous giving a speech than going out in the play-off. I didn’t get a chance to grasp the (winning) moment. But when I walked into the airline lounge later that evening, all the Thai players were in there and they all stood up and gave me a big clap. It was a big moment,” said Pariya.
“These guys are my role models. Thaworn (Wiratchant), Thammanoon (Srirot) and Chawalit (Plaphol) were guys I looked up to and gave me advice and I don’t know how to tell you the feeling when they came up to me, shook my hand and say ‘great job’.”
Indian prospect Himmat Rai, who pushed Choi all the way in the final round last year before finishing joint third with Goosen, is relishing a return to the Iskandar Johor Open.
A second place finish on the domestic circuit last weekend has given him an added boost in confidence as he is presently languishing in 95th place on the Order of Merit. “I’ve got very fond memories from last year and I’ve been looking forward to this week. I’m well prepared,” said the 23-year-old.
“You do look at the merit list as it shows where you are but I do not believe that’s where my game is. At end of last year, I got in a new psychologist and a new coach where we have been working on a new system on swinging the club more consistently. I’m happy with the direction of my game,” he added.
The 19-year-old Noh, who is bidding to become the youngest Asian Tour number one, is looking forward to crossing swords again with his idol Choi, whom he beat at the Maybank Malaysian Open in March.
“Two weeks ago, I played with K.J. in a Korean Tour event where he finished second and I finished third. It’ll be nice to play with him on Sunday afternoon in the last match and I hope we can do it here. If it happens, I think we’ll be talking a lot more than focusing on the golf as he’s like a big brother to me,” said Noh, who has been paired with Harrington for the opening two rounds.
The main sponsor of the Iskandar Johor Open is the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). It is also supported by platinum sponsor - UEM Land Holdings Berhad, the master developer of Nusajaya which is a key driver of Iskandar Malaysia and hosted by the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Other co-sponsors include 100 Plus, Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru, Blackberry, Heineken, Kuok Brothers Sdn. Bhd, Pulai Springs Resort, Ricoh, Srixon, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Telekom Malaysia, Titoni and Winston Wine. The official media partners are Fairways, Golf Malaysia and ParGolf. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Johor Golf Association.
The Iskandar Johor Open
The inaugural edition of the Iskandar Johor Open kicked off in August 2007. Held at the Johor Country Club (RJCC) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, it carried a prize purse of USD$300,000 and the honour of hoisting the trophy for the first time fell to Artemio Murakami of the Philippines. In October 2008, the championship offered an improved purse of USD$500,000 and South African Retief Goosen went on to clinch the coveted trophy at RJCC. 2009 marked a milestone in the history of the Iskandar Johor Open, with a 100% increase in prize money to USD$1,000,000, certainly pointing to the tournament’s growing stature. It was won by Korean K.J. Choi, who triumphed over rising Indian star Himmat Rai and defending champion Retief Goosen.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)
Iskandar Malaysia is set to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia's most developed region, where living, entertainment, environment and business seamlessly converge within a bustling and vibrant metropolis. The Iskandar Regional Development Authority is the statutory body tasked with realizing the vision of developing Iskandar Malaysia.
IMG Sports & Entertainment
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world's largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.
More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.
The Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour.
For Media Enquiries, please contact:
IRDA:
Balbeer Singh Jessy
Mobile: +607 218 3000
Email: balbeer@irda.com.my
