SUTIJET HOPES TO GO ONE BETTER AT THE BASHUNDHARA BANGLADESH OPEN
Dhaka - Thailand’s Sutijet Kooratanapisan hopes to ride on his good vibes at the Kurmitola Golf Club as he plans another title assault at the US$300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open which starts on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Thai enjoyed his best season on the Asian Tour in 2016, claiming two top-10s in Bangladesh and Manila to finish in 52nd position on the final Order of Merit. He kept his card for the first time since turning professional in 2010.
Sutijet, chasing for a maiden win, marked his best result on the Asian Tour when he came in runner-up at the 2016 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open. He finished two shots shy of winner and compatriot Thitiphun Chuayprakong after closing with a five-under-par 66.
“I like this golf course. It’s pretty similar to my home course back home. I feel good whenever I play here. Finishing second here last year has given me a lot of confidence. At least I know I have the capabilities to put myself in contention now,” said Sutijet, who finished tied-25th in the inaugural edition.
The one-time Asian Development Tour (ADT) winner will also looking to emulate the footsteps of his compatriots Thitiphun, Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Poom Saksansin, who have all secured their maiden Asian Tour titles last season, when he steps up to the tee on Wednesday.
“They have been a great motivation. It’s good to see them winning on Tour. It makes me feel like I can do it too. I will keep striving for the better. I hope to take advantage of the positive vibes this week to cap another good result, hopefully a win!” added the Thai.
Sutijet will be joined by Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, who won the tournament in 2015, India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and American Johannes Veerman in the full-field event, which is celebrating its third consecutive edition on the Asian Tour from February 1 to 4.
The Bashundhara Bangladesh Open will also feature home-grown talents spearheaded by Siddikur Rahman, a two-time winner on the region’s premier Tour, and Shakhawat Sohel, who had emerged as the best local player in the last two editions.
A total of 132 players from 19 countries will be vying for top honours in the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, which is the third leg of the Asian Tour schedule this season.
Other notable players in the field include in-form Shubhankar Sharma of India, who got his season off to a flying start with tied-11th and tied-ninth finishes in Singapore and Myanmar respectively, as well as countryman Rashid Khan and American Casey O’Toole.
The winner of the 2017 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open will take home a prize purse of US$54,000 and a unique trophy designed in the form of Bangladesh's national animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger.
