The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Randhawa raring to go

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 28, 2005

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Sport - Golf

Randhawa raring to go

Shanghai: Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh will look for improved performances as they lead a group of six Indian golfers in this week's BMW Asian Open, which has the strongest field in the event's four-year history chasing $1.5 million in total prize money.

Randhawa and Jeev tied for tenth place at the 2004 edition, won by Miguel Angel Jimenez, who is back to defend his title.

The other Indians in the event being held in China's booming financial capital are Amandeep Johl, Harmeet Kahlon, Rahil Gangjee and Gaurav Ghei. Barring Ghei, who did not play, the other five had missed the cut in Beijing last week at the Johnnie Walker Classic.

For the second straight week, Randhawa has been paired with the defending champion, Jimenez and this time the third player in the group will be Colin Montgomerie, who was sixth last week.

Amongst the other big stars in attendance are Chinese No. 1 Zhang Lian-wei, Nick Faldo and Asia's big names, Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant besides Randhawa.

Jimenez, whose 2004 haul also included wins in Hong Kong and Thailand, is delighted to be back at Tomson to defend his BMW Asian Open title.

The Spaniard, winner of five titles on the European Tour last year, cruised to the 2004 BMW Asian Open title by three shots.

Closing with a round of five-under-par 67 at the Shunski Kato-designed layout, he held off Simon Dyson in second, with Prayad Marksaeng and Choi, both of whom are also in the field this week, in third and fourth respectively.

The BMW Asian Open is joint-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours for the fourth time. — PTI

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