China’s Liu seeks memorable outing at Thailand Open

Posted by 4moles Editorial Desk 18 May 17'

Bangkok: Young talent Liu Yan-wei of China plans to keep things simple in his pursuit for a career breakthrough at the US$300,000 Thailand Open, which gets underway on Thursday.

Liu Yan-wei of China

The 19-year-old Liu, only Chinese player in the elite field this week, is enjoying one of his best seasons so far, claiming one top-10 result on the Asian Tour in February and another tied-11th place finish on the European Tour last month.

Liu, ranked 556th on the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), also enjoyed solid finishes on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), claiming two top-three results in three starts this season. He was placed at 1092nd position at the start of the season.

"This course condition is pretty good. It’s been raining quite a bit so it was kind of wet out there. This is my first time playing on this course. I played in the pro-am today and it’s been great. It wasn’t really windy when I played but I think it will be tough when the wind picks up."

Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Shiv Kapur at the Thailand Open Press Conference

"I am looking forward to the week ahead. I have been working hard on my game lately just to prepare myself for this week.

I had a good result on the European Tour in Shenzhen last month. It was my best ever result on the European Tour so it has given me a lot of confidence. I am pretty satisfied with my season so far. I have had some commendable results on the Asian Tour and the Asian Development Tour as well. It has been one of my best starts to a season so far in my career." said Liu.

Liu will be among the elite field contending for the prestigious title at the highly-acclaimed Thai Country Club, which has hosted Asian Tour events in the past.

"It’s great to have the tournament back on the schedule. It’s a very prestigious event. It’s lovely to be back at the Thai Country Club. Before I went to Chinese Taipei for the Yeangder Heritage which I won last month, I actually came to the Thai Country Club to practise." said Shiv Kapur

He will feature in the storied event alongside former Order of Merit champions Scott Hend of Australia, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thaworn Wiratchant, American David Lipsky and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh.

"I am really impressed with the course. Full marks to the staff and management, course superintendent, as well as the General Manager of the Thai Country Club for doing up the golf course so nicely.

It’s rainy season now and they still made sure that the course is in excellent conditions for the tournament within such a short notice. I am really impressed."

"It’s going to be a very low-scoring week because the rough is not up yet I think. You need hit good iron shots and putt well to score. I think it’ going to be a putting contest this week." said JeevMilkha Singh

The Thailand Open, one of the oldest National Championship in Asia, is returning onto the Asian Tour schedule following an eight-year lapse this week.