Koh Samui (Thailand), June 17 (IANS): Golfers S.S.P. Chawrasia, Rashid Khan will lead the Indian challenge at the $300,000 Queen's Cup starting at the Santiburi Samui Country Club here on Thursday.
Chawrasia, who is ranked fourth on the Order of Merit in the Asian tour, hopes to continue his fine form after notching two top-10s in three appearances including a second place result at the Hero Indian Open where he was defeated in a play-off.
"It's my first time playing in the Queen's Cup. It's a really beautiful place and I'm enjoying it so far. I was struggling with my putting earlier so I practised a lot before coming here. The game is in good shape now," the 37-year-old Chawrasia said in a release on Wednesday.
"This is a very challenging golf course. It's very narrow and it's a tree-lined course. You have to hit it straight and putt well to score," he added.
Rashid, two-time winner on the Asian Tour, said: "I made a few changes to my game prior to coming here this week. I struggled with my ball-striking so I went to fix a couple of things with my coach back home. We made some changes to my swing as well.
"Everything seems to be in place now. I played a local event back home last week (Louis Philippe Cup) and I hit the ball really good. I am not exactly happy with how I did so far this season because of my poor ball striking earlier.
"I played the practice round yesterday and I hit the ball well. I am feeling really confident and I am looking forward to a good week here," the 24-year-old concluded.
Apart from the duo, young Bengaluru golfer Khalin Joshi is in good form and will fancy his chances. He finished joint second at the Bangladesh Open and performed well at the Louis Philippe Cup.
Other Indians in the 150-man field for the first two rounds will be Rahil Gangjee, Digvijay Singh, Anthony Kang, S. Chikka, Angad Cheema, Himmat Rai and Chiragh Kumar.
The trio will face strong challenges from the likes of Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, who won back-to-back Mauritius Open and Bangladesh Open, Australian Marcus Both, Canadian Richard T. Lee and Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh.
They will come up against a strong local challenge which includes Thaworn Wiratchant, who has won two Queen’s Cup titles in 2014 and 2012, Prayad Marksaeng, winner here in 2013, as well as Chapchai Nirat, Thanyakon Khrongpha and Jazz Janewattananond.
Thai veteran Thaworn, who holds an unprecedented 18 titles on the Asian Tour, will contend against the elite field despite nursing a leg injury.
"I expected to do better in the tournaments that I’ve played this season but given my leg injury earlier, I guess it’s still acceptable. If I can get back my good form, I will be happy to chase for a 19th win!" said Thaworn.
“I managed to get some rest over the last two weeks so I am looking forward to play again. This course suits my game. Hitting it long will not be much of an advantage here. The course is quite hilly so you need to be physically fit to perform. I am confident of winning here anytime but I need to get my ‘A’ game back," said Thaworn.