Client News
Randhawa aims for European Tour breakthrough
Jeju, Korea, 20 April 2009 - Jyoti Randhawa is targeting his maiden European Tour victory as he prepares for this week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
The Indian ace has registered no less than six top-three finishes in the past five years and believes he is edging closer to that elusive first win.
“I feel I’m improving year by year,” said Randhawa, who will lead a powerful Asian challenge at the €2.1 million showpiece.
“I’m definitely playing better this year than last and my aim is to continue that. If I can keep improving then I will give myself more chances to win.”
While Randhawa, 36, is gunning for his first European Tour success, he has enjoyed eight victories on the Asian Tour, including last month’s Thailand Open.
“I made a good start to the year and had a couple of top 10s and then won the Thailand Open, which I was very pleased about,” he said.
“I’ve just had a month off and spent some time with my family in India, so after a break like that I’m not putting too much expectation on myself this week.
“I‘m aiming to simply go out there, play my best and see where I end up. But I’m pretty happy with my game right now.”
The Ballantine’s Championship – which tees off this Thursday at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA.
The star-studded field includes three-time Major winner Ernie Els, world No.9 Henrik Stenson and defending champion Graeme McDowell.
World No.15 Lee Westwood – winner of an impressive 18 European Tour events – is also in the field together with one of the game’s true legends, former Masters champion Fred Couples.
Randhawa finished joint 11th at last year’s inaugural Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx and is anticipating an exciting week.
“I really enjoyed it last year. I was very impressed with the whole set-up of the tournament – the golf course, the organisation and hotel were all first class, so I’m looking forward to this week’s event,” he said.
The Indian currently lies third on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit behind leader Anthony Kang of the USA and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.
And he knows the battle will intensify this week with no fewer than 19 of the top 20 in the standings teeing it up at Pinx.
“This is a big week as far as the Order of Merit is concerned because anyone putting in a good performance can make a leap up the standings,” said Randhawa.
“This is definitely one of the biggest events on the Asian Tour and a significant tournament with regard to the Order of Merit race.”
Meanwhile, Ballantine’s Championship organisers announced that Colin Montgomerie had been forced to withdraw from the tournament with a finger injury.
“Obviously, we are sad to lose Colin, but we have an extremely strong line-up here at Pinx this week,” said Martin Capstick of tournament promoters Parallel Media Group.
“We have Major champions, Ryder Cup stars, more than 40 European Tour winners and the very best players from the Asian Tour, so we’re anticipating some fantastic golf.”
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Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.