Hend resumes Merit chase
Kobe - Australian Scott Hend will be looking to navigate his way out of a recent slump when he resumes his chase for a second Asian Tour Order of Merit crown at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship which starts on Thursday.
Hend claimed his 10th Asian Tour title in Malaysia earlier this year but has yet to replicate that fine form as he struggles to find the right set of clubs over the last few months. The 46-year-old Hend has uncharacteristically missed eight cuts in 14 starts worldwide since his victory.
By switching back to an old set of clubs this week, which include the same irons that helped him to his victory in March, Hend is hoping to rediscover some of his best form when he gets his campaign underway at the prestigious Higashi Hirono Golf Club.
American Micah Lauren Shin, placed ninth on the Order of Merit, will be banking on a feel-good factor when he challenges for top honours at the ¥150,000,000 (approximately US$1,338,067) event. He came close to securing his second Asian Tour title in Japan in May before finishing joint runner-up.
Taehee Lee, the highest-ranked Korean in third place on the Merit rankings, is eyeing a good showing as it will ensure that he stays inside top-four at the end of next week to earn a coveted spot at the upcoming World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions.
Yikeun Chang, who broke through in Chinese Taipei two weeks ago, has set his sights on more successes when he tees off for the 10th edition of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship.
The 25-year-old Korean believes he still has an outside chance to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions should he put up noteworthy performances these two weeks.
The race to finish inside top-three on the Panasonc Swing will also heat up this week as the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship is the concluding leg of the 2018/19 edition.
The Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship is the fourth event to be sanctioned by both the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this season. The tournament is also returning to the Higashi Hirono Golf Club this week following a seven-year lapse.
