FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Prayad is fit to defend Singapore Open crown

Prayad is fit to defend Singapore Open crown

 Sentosa, Singapore - Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand is feeling physically fantastic and he is ready to defend his title at the US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open that starts tomorrow.

Last year, the 51-year-old held off the challenge of the likes of compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai and Korea’s Younghan Song, golfers who are a fraction of his age, to lift the coveted trophy at the Asian Tour season-opener.

Prayad is one of the most successful golfers on the Asian Tour with 10 titles under his belt. He has also been immensely successful on the Japan Senior Tour in 2017, winning four times and topping the money list for the second consecutive year.

The affable golfer attributed his good form to a clean and healthy lifestyle. He sleeps early, exercises regularly and refrains from smoking as well as drinking.

“I’m in good shape and am ready to play against the younger players. I take care of myself quite well – I sleep early, don’t drink or smoke, exercise and practice a lot to prepare myself, “ said Prayad who was never in the top-10 in the first three rounds of the 2017 SMBC Singapore Open. He was four shots off the leader, Adam Scott, going into Sunday.

“I don’t feel any pressure. I come here to try and play better, entertain the crowd, and show that even at 53 years old you can play well. I’m just here to try my best, and I’ve been on the golf course for a long time,” said Prayad who will be teeing off on Thursday with 2016 SMBC Singapore Open champion Younghan Song and Japan Golf Tour Organization 2017 prize money list leader Yusaku Miyazato.

“I’ll see how I do in the first round, and if I don’t play well then, I’ll skip the driving range and then save my energy a bit and just go for putting and chipping. I’m over 50 years old now, so I need to save more of my energy during the rounds.

I want to perform my best for the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and Japan Senior Tour and hope to be the champion for Japan Golf Tour,” the veteran said.

Marquee golfers Sergio Garcia of Spain and Ryo Ishikawa of Japan will also be teeing off at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Garcia will be remembered for winning the Masters in 2017. He started well in Singapore last year, finishing tied-11th, and his form led to a win in Dubai before his victory at Augusta National Golf Club. He’ll be looking to put on a solid display of golf this week.

Ishikawa has recovered from his back injury that has hampered his tenure on the PGA Tour. He is now feeling 100 per cent and he will be focusing his efforts on the Japan Golf Tour in 2018.

 

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