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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402928

Muay thai legend Rodtang primed to explode in kickboxing debut

Feb 23. 2021Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon

Reigning ONE flyweight muay thai world champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon of Thailand is gunning for an explosive debut in ONE Super Series kickboxing next week.

The 23-year-old Bangkokian will square off against Alejandro “El Puma” Rivas of Spain in a three-round battle at ONE: Fists of Fury, broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on Friday, February 26.

Rodtang has carefully studied his upcoming opponent and come up with a solid game plan for his first fight in 8-ounce gloves.

“I’ve watched his fights. He is very good with that K-1 style. And he’s also a professional kickboxer, so he has experience. He’s been doing this for a long time. Depending on what happens in the fight, I’ll make the necessary adjustments. We’ll see how it goes,” said Rodtang.

“He has good speed, he’s fast on his feet and has solid defence. I’m working with my team on crafting the right game plan to break into his defence. I’m training hard to put that plan into motion, get on the inside, and do some damage.”

Rodtang captured the ONE flyweight muay thai belt in 2019 with a unanimous decision over former titleholder Jonathan Haggerty before making three successful defences.

Now, he’s coming after the kickboxing title, and Rodtang is determined to get himself on the right track with a win over Rivas.

“I have a very good reputation, but I think this is a new sport for me. He [Rivas] might think of me as one of the toughest athletes he will face in his career, but this is my first time in kickboxing and the pressure is on me to win. I have dreams of competing for a kickboxing world title one day,” said Rodtang.

Headlining Friday’s event is a ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship showdown between reigning titleholder Ilias Ennahachi and No 2 contender Superlek “Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9.

Also on the card is kickboxing legend Giorgio Petrosyan, along with the debut of rising teenage star Victoria “The Prodigy” Lee.

Rodtang is ready for perhaps the toughest test of his career, entering a new sport with expectations at an all-time high. The 23-year-old is confident he can put on a solid performance, and perhaps even score another scintillating stoppage.

“My biggest strength is my warrior heart. I never back down, I always come forward, no matter the opponent. I’m always looking for the finish at every moment. I want to knock him out and show the world that I can conquer this mountain. I think this fight is going to steal the show,” said Rodtang.

“One thing I can promise is that my fight is going to be fun and explosive, as always.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402889

Fully fit Kasidit begins new tennis season on winning note

Feb 22. 2021Kasidit Samrej

By THE NATION

National tennis champion Kasidit Samrej kicked off his season in style, winning the Bt600,000 Thailand Championships I at the National Tennis Development Centre in Nonthaburi on Sunday.

The 20-year-old son of former national champion Vittaya displayed a superior baseline game to beat the 25-year-old Krittin Koaykul in just 57 minutes to claim his second career win after the National Championships at this court last August.

Kasidit said he had regained full fitness after a health problem deprived him of his A game for months.

“I had some allergies and was unable to play well for months. It was only in December that I began to feel better about my health and I have returned to full fitness since then,” said Kasidit.

“My goal is to make the cut for the SEA Games team. If circumstances get better, I hope to go on the tour to enter professional events as well,” he added.

In the women’s final, Patcharin Cheapchandej relied on her experience to beat 15-year-old Lallana Thararuedee 7-5 6-2.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402888

Free Covid-19 tests for golfers, officials at Thai Mixed tournament

Feb 21. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Mixed tournament organised by TrustGolf is providing free Covid-19 tests to golfers and officials as the event gets under way this week at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.

Male and female players due to compete in Monday’s qualifying round underwent the procedure, supported by Trust Pharmacy medical unit at HuaHin Grand Hotel on Sunday. The next test for main draw competitors is also at the hotel on Wednesday.

To comply with the government’s policy, players and officials are required to perform RT-PCR tests on their assigned date and venue to be eligible to take part in the competition. Otherwise, they have to perform a test with other medical institutions at their own expense.

However, if a player tests positive at the tournament unit, he or she will be charged Bt2,300 for the second test.

The tournament, one of the TrustGolf Tour series in 2021, is organised by TrustGolf, a technologically advanced golf training facility. Supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, Black Mountain Golf Club, Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Hua Hin Grand Hotel and other sponsors, the event is scheduled at the Black Mountain Golf Club from February 25-28 in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402847

Thai Wondergirl ready for long, gruelling battle with challenger Buntan in One bout

Feb 21. 2021Wondergirl Fairtex

Since making her One Championship debut last year, rising Thai star Wondergirl Fairtex has built a solid reputation as a powerful finisher. When she steps foot inside the circle for her next fight, however, Wondergirl is looking forward to a tough outing, and perhaps even be stretched the full distance.

Wondergirl is scheduled to return to action against Filipina-American striker Jackie Buntan. The two square off in a Muay Thai contest at One: Fists of Fury, which will be broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on February 26.

The 22-year-old from Pattaya has done her due diligence and sized up her opponent, coming up with a solid game plan with her team at Fairtex.

“She [Buntan] is Janet Todd’s teammate, so I think she has good speed and is very strong. She’s no doubt a great athlete. I think her strength lies in her defence. She’s a counter-striker, so she’s not too aggressive. But I won’t make the mistake of underestimating her. I’m preparing for the toughest fight of my career so far,” said Wondergirl.

“I’ve been able to catch a glimpse of her style. She’s got good combinations and terrific defensive ability. That’s going to be a challenge to overcome. But I think she’s going to be at a reach disadvantage because she’s smaller than me. I will make it tough for her to get on the inside.”

Buntan is a Muay Thai champion in the United States, where she trains in Los Angeles, California with chief sparring partner, reigning One atomweight Muay Thai world champion Janet “JT” Todd. The Filipina striker is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in One Super Series.

Having scored two scintillating stoppage victories in her time in the circle so far, a lot is expected from Wondergirl. Many fans are picking the Thai star to once again put together another spectacular finish, but Wondergirl says it would be unwise for her to enter the bout haphazardly.

That being said, Wondergirl knows exactly what it will take to earn the victory against Buntan.

“Honestly, my goal isn’t to knock her out. It all depends on how the fight plays out, but I am preparing for a long and gruelling fight. I’m ready to go the full distance. But of course, if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll go for the knockout. I’ll put all of my effort behind getting the victory, first and foremost,” said Wondergirl.

“The key to this fight is forcing her to fight at my pace. I will need to impose my will, and make her play my game. No one in this sport can say for sure if they will win or lose because anything can happen in the circle. The only thing I can do is try my very best.”

One: Fists of Fury is a three-part event series, beginning with a live broadcast on February 26. The main event features a One Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship showdown between reigning titleholder Ilias Ennahachi and No. 2-ranked contender “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9.

Also on the card is kickboxing legend Giorgio Petrosyan, One Flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, and the debut of rising teenage star Victoria “The Prodigy” Lee.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402837

Thai WPGA tees off with aim to develop female golfers eyeing world stage

Feb 20. 2021

The Thai Women’s Professional Golf Association is officially open on Friday with its key mission to develop Thai female golfers and organise world ranking tournaments.

Chanya Sawangchitr

With Phoenix Golf Gold and Country Club Pattaya CEO Chanya Sawangchitr as president, the association became the second local body to stage a professional women’s tour after the Thai LPGA. But unlike the Thai LPGA, the Thai WPGA aims to organise local events that feature world ranking points.

“We are also in high gear to have the Thai WPGA feature world ranking points just like the local men’s tour which has already achieved that. With our experience in hosting world class events, we believe the Women’s World Golf Rankings committee will trust in our potential. We will soon announce our board which I guarantee will consist of only those with extensive experience in golf development and in many international tournaments,” Chanya said, adding, “The tour schedule will be announced soon and I hope to receive wide support from Thai female golfers.

“After organising three successful Ladies European Tour [LET] events at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club Pattaya, I believe that our female golfers are second to none if appropriate development programmes and continuous tournaments are provided to them,” Chanya said, explaining her decision to accept the Thai WPGA presidential post.

“Not only do we have many players with potential, but we also have qualified personnel who can organise tournaments of international standard. I’m convinced more world class tournaments can be staged by Thai people,” she added.

“Thirdly, home tournaments can serve as a springboard for Thais to enter the global arena. Both Atthaya Thitikul and Kanyalak Preedasuttijit have already proved that by winning the Ladies European Thailand Championship (Atthaya in 2017 and 2019, and Kanyalak in 2018) and automatically became members of the LET which is one of the world’s top women’s golf tours,” Chanya said.

Chanya, as the CEO of Phoenix Golf Gold and Country Club, has organised a host of internationally acclaimed events including the King’s Cup, Queen’s Cup, Royal Cup and Ladies European Tour Thailand Championship.

The Thai Women’s Professional Golf Association has been established with the objective to support and promote Thai women’s golf activities. The association aims to organise a local tour with world ranking points in the near future, which will pave the way for Thai golfers to enter the international arena.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402838

MotoGP 21: the official MotoGP videogame returns!

Feb 20. 2021

New features, gameplay improvements and a smarter AI than ever await fans as the new videogame launches this April

Milestone and Dorna Sports are proud to announce MotoGP™21, the new chapter of the official MotoGP™ videogame. Featuring the 2021 Official Season and enriched by the power of next generation consoles, MotoGP™21 is set to launch on the 22nd of April on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam and Epic Games Store.  

MotoGP™21 is bigger and better than ever, with a host of new features including a brand-new progressive and strategic Managerial Career mode, the smartest and most advanced Neural AI yet, and gameplay improvements to give players an even more immersive and exciting experience.

The new edition of Managerial Career makes some new features available both on and off track. Building the best team possible and customising the bike are keys to success. The Personal Manager leads the staff, helping riders look for new contracts, and the Chief Engineer works towards increased Research Points, earned weekly or during Free Practice sessions. The Data Analyst, meanwhile, is in charge of finding the perfect balance for each development area to progress, creating the deepest and most complete career experience ever. And what about starting from the bottom with a Junior Team?

Hiring the right people is always fundamental to success, starting from the Team Manager, who looks for new sponsorship and riders, all the way up to the Technical Director who manages the R&D department for junior bikes. And don’t forget to hire a rider; a talented young star to lead the team to the top of the ladder.  

The bike is a key protagonist, however, and in MotoGP™21 customisation moves another step closer to reality. Assign your staff members to any of the bike development branches and invest your R&D Points to improve Engine Power, Aerodynamics, Frame and the most important Electronic features, such as Traction Control, Braking, Anti Wheelie and Power Mapping. And of course, even the look of the bike is important, so MotoGP™21 once again features an editor divided into five main categories: Helmet, Livery, Suit, Stickers and Racing Number.

A selection of screenshots of MotoGP™21, pending livery updates once all teams have revealed their 2021 colours The gameplay also has some iconic new features in 2021, creating an electrifying, strategic and adrenaline-fuelled racing simulation. These include: • Bike Retrieval Sequence: Once you fall, you’ll no longer automatically respawn on track. You’ll have to get up and get back on your bike, as fast as you can. Pay attention to how you take the corners! • Brake Temperature: Riding is not only a matter of speed, but also of strategy. Monitoring the temperature of your brakes is the key to always having the situation under control. If they are too hot or too cold they risk losing their effectiveness. • Long Lap Penalty: Finally, the feature is coming to the MotoGP™ videogame franchise, meaning that penalties can now be more specific. • Bike Suspension System Revisions: The level of realism is increasing again. This feature is dedicated to all the bike simulation lovers! There’s more. ANNA, the revolutionary AI based on machine learning, is back with additional improvements in order to race against faster, smarter and more accurate opponents than ever, making the offline experience equal to a real race. MotoGP™21 is also ready to deliver some unmissable additions thanks to next generation consoles. Players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will enjoy Dynamic Resolution up to 4K, along with 60FPS. The overall quality is significantly improved and the enhanced lighting creates a world that transmits all the sensation of a real race. Loading times are faster and for those who can’t live without the thrill of competition, online races are now up to 22 riders. Finally, like a wheelie at the finish line, PlayStation Players will enjoy the amazing feature of PS5 DualSense™, including Haptic Feedback and Adaptive triggers.   And this is just the beginning! MotoGP™21 will only get bigger and better over the months thanks to some new content that will be introduced through patches. Day one is only the start of the race! MotoGP™21 will be released on April 22nd, 2021 on PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam and Epic Games Store.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402839

Ace earns Kim new car at The Genesis Invitational

Feb 19. 2021Tae Hoon Kim (Credit to Getty Images)

After Thursday, Tae Hoon Kim could officially have a fleet of Genesis vehicles at home.

 The South Korean made a big impression in his PGA TOUR debut, finishing his opening round at The Genesis Invitational with at 2-under 70, good enough to tie for 19th place overall. American Sam Burns leads the field at 7-under 64.  

 Kim’s big moment came on the par 3 16th when he used a 7-iron from 168 yards out to land mere feet from the pin. Two bounces and a short roll later, Kim had a hole-in-one for eagle and a 2021 Genesis G80. 

 It’s not the first time he has brought home a new Genesis in the last five months. 

 Last October, Kim won the 2020 Genesis Championship on the Korean Tour, earning him a sponsor’s exemption into this week’s elite field in addition to a GV80, his first Genesis vehicle. It was his only win of the 2020 season, first victory on the Korean Tour since 2018 and his fourth overall win. The following month, the 36-year old brought home a GV70 after capturing the Korean Tour’s order of merit for the 2020 season.

 “The first two cars he got, he gave those to his parents and he has not decided yet on the new one,” Kim said through a translator. 

 Kim’s debut round on the PGA TOUR got off to a fast start, as he opened with a birdie and eagle on Nos. 10 and No.  11, respectively, to start the day. After a bogey at 14, Kim recorded his ace on No. 16 to move to 4-under through nine holes.

 Countryman K.H. Lee, who finished runner-up at the Waste Management Phoenix Open two weeks ago, shot a 70 while Si Woo Kim, Sung Kang, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan carded 71s. Xinjun Zhang of China posted a 76.

 Kim’s two eagles through the first seven holes made him the fourth player on record (since 1983) to make two eagles on the back nine at the Riviera Country Club in the same round. The others are Scott McCarron (1997), Sergio Garcia (2012) and Phil Mickelson (2017). 

 That momentum appeared like it might continue as he made the turn, with Kim adding another birdie on the first to move to 5-under. It was an impressive start for a player who hasn’t spent much time on the course since the Korean Tour ended in November. 

 “His first PGA TOUR tournament and actually he’s not ready for the tournament because the Korean Tour was ended last year and he didn’t prepare that much, but right now, so he kind of enjoying the round,” Kim said through a translator. 

 Kim’s early momentum disappeared soon after, though, as he shot a combined 4-over over the next three holes to drop back to 1-under. But he rallied late with a 13-foot birdie at the 8th, pulling him even with 15 others, including defending champion Adam Scott.

 “So he started with a good eagle and made a hole-in-one, but in the middle of the game he kind of lose some score, but he came back and then he enjoy the game,” Kim said through a translator. 

 Kim will begin his second round at 8:19 a.m. PST on Friday. 

First-Round Notes – Thursday, February 18, 2021

 Weather: Sunny. High of 68. Wind NE 10-15 mph, with gusts to 20 mph.

 First-Round Leaderboard

Sam Burns                                64 (-7)

Matthew Fitzpatrick                  66 (-5)

Max Homa                                66 (-5)

Eight players                             67 (-4)

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‘Power vs skill’: Female golf stars brace for male challenge at Thailand Mixed

Feb 19. 2021Atthaya Thitikul

By THE NATION

Four of Thailand’s top female golfers led by teen sensation Atthaya Thitikul will try to push the men to their limits at the inaugural edition of the Bt3-million Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at Hua Hin’s Black Mountain Golf Club next week.

Chonlada Chayanun

The two-time Ladies European Tour winner will be joined by Thai LPGA stars Chonlada Chayanun, and sisters Nemittra and Nimmita Jantanaket as male and female pro-golfers battle for the same title for the first time in Thailand.

Atthaya, the 2020 Thai LPGA Order of Merit winner, is excited to be playing against male stars for the first time as she tees off her season at the February 25-28 Thailand Mixed event.

“It feels strange to enter a tournament like this, but it will serve as a good challenge. You have to rise to the challenge in this format, which should help sharpen your game,” said Atthaya, who won five Thai LPGA titles last season.

The talented teenager has been working on her shot distance in the offseason but is now sharpening her short game in preparation for next week.

“It’s good to get back on the greens and get a few tips from top players on how to improve your technique,” said Atthaya, who is aiming to qualify for the top-flight LPGA this year.

Meanwhile, Chonlada is hoping for a top-10 finish but admits it won’t be easy.

“Apart from the girls, I now have to fight against the men too,” said the 2019 Thai LPGA No 1.

“It won’t be easy. I don’t want to set my goal too high because I haven’t been in a tournament for a while. I need to shape up my game but I’m hoping for a top 10 finish at least,” said the Nakhon Ratchasima star.

The Jantaket sisters, regular players on the Thai LPGA circuits, believe female golfers have the skills to match men’s power.

“Although the men hit further, we have a good short game and accuracy. As for me, I’m working on my fitness because it’s a four-day event. I’m also focusing on my approach game within 100 yards which is key to shooting good scores,” said elder sister Nimmita, who will be looking to exploit her familiarity with the Black Mountain course.

Younger sibling Nemittra is honing her game with the help of technology at the TrustGolf facility.

“I’m using the PuttView technology to enhance my putting game at TrustGolf, and hoping for a top 40 finish in the tournament. I’ll try to minimise errors. I can’t wait to compete with the guys and test where my game is now,” Nemittra said.

Fans can watch a livestream of the tournament at https://www.facebook.com/trustgolfclub

and on the TrustGolf YouTube channel. T-Sports will also broadcast live coverage of the weekend rounds on television.

The tournament, one of the TrustGolf Tour series in 2021, is organized by TrustGolf, the world’s technologically advanced golf training facility. Supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, Black Mountain Golf Club, Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Hua Hin Grand Hotel and other sponsors, the event is scheduled at the Black Mountain Golf Club between February 25-28 in Prachuab Khiri Khan.

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Rodtang switches to kickboxing

Feb 19. 2021Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon

Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon of Thailand is ready to compete in an entirely new arena in ONE Super Series when he makes his way back to the circle.

The 23-year-old phenom is scheduled to face WKPF Kickboxing Champion Alejandro “El Puma” Rivas of Spain in a three-round kickboxing contest at ONE: FISTS OF FURY, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on Friday, 26 February.

Rodtang is extra motivated ahead of his newest venture, and is geared up for a new challenge.

“I’ve already achieved my goal of becoming the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. I think it’s time to try something new and try to become a kickboxing champion too,” said Rodtang.

“I think my style is suited for kickboxing. I love to use my punches, my speed and power. It’s going to be challenging, but I’m excited.”

Rodtang joined ONE Championship in 2018, bursting onto the scene with a thrilling combination of speed, power, and relentless aggression. He’s remained unbeaten since his promotional debut, along the way capturing the Muay Thai belt.

After dominating the competition handily, Rodtang is looking forward to making a run at the kickboxing world title, but realizes there is much work to be done.

“I think the most important thing is footwork. I need to work on my footwork, be more agile and faster with my movement. I can’t be stationary like I was competing in Muay Thai,” said Rodtang.

“All of my opponents know that I have powerful punches and strong kicks. That has been well documented. You just need to watch my previous fights to see what I’m all about. I think a lot of my opponents see that and they’re cautious and scared a bit when they get in a fight with me. But I think I need to adjust that style a little to suit kickboxing, be more technical.”

ONE: FISTS OF FURY is a three-part event series, beginning with a live broadcast on 26 February. The main event features a ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship showdown between reigning titleholder Ilias Ennahachi and #2-ranked contender “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9.

Also on the card is kickboxing legend Giorgio Petrosyan, and the debut of rising teenage star Victoria “The Prodigy” Lee.

This will be the first time Rodtang will don the 8oz. gloves in ONE Super Series, and naturally, there are doubts whether or not his power can translate to kickboxing. Rodtang, however, asks fans not to worry.

Known for his unrelenting pressure style, Rodtang promises a riveting performance, one that will end in another highlight reel finish.

“To me, it doesn’t matter wearing small gloves or the regular boxing gloves. I train hard each day, and I’m constantly improving my skills. I build strength in my muscles to develop power. I can get the knockout either way,” said Rodtang.

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China’s Zhang hopes to hit into gear at star-studded Genesis Invitational

Feb 18. 2021China’s Zhang Xinjun (Credit to Getty Images)China’s Zhang Xinjun is confident he can quickly turn his fortunes around despite the lack of success so far on the PGA TOUR this year.

The 33-year-old has missed three cuts from five starts in 2021, with a tie for 60^th at the Farmers Insurance Open last month being his best performance. After missing the halfway cut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last week, Zhang heads to The Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods, at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles this week.

It will mark his sixth straight week on the road which Zhang had pre-planned as his lead-up to THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass next month where he is poised to make his long awaited debut.

“The Genesis Invitational is important to me. I didn’t make the cut at Pebble Beach, which actually gave me some time to relax over the weekend. This year, I have a tight schedule, so I have been taking very short rests in between the consecutive weeks,” said Zhang.

He is not overly concerned with his lack of form as on the three occasions he missed the cut, it was by two strokes. Zhang’s driving remains his Achilles heels as he has hit only 56% of fairways during the 2020-21 season, often leaving him in defensive positions.

Ahead of a second visit to the historic Riviera, which The Genesis Invitational is one of three elevated events on TOUR and features eight of the world’s Top 10 players led by Dustin Johnson, Zhang knows there is a premium in finding the short grass this week.

“I hope to get my form back and look forward to a good result. On this golf course, driving is going to be an important element. For a few holes, you have to play a draw or a fade to put the ball on the fairway and if I can put the ball on the fairway, I will have more chances,” said Zhang, who missed the cut at the Genesis Open in 2018 at Riviera.

Like Zhang, Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan will also be aiming to regain his form after a similarly slow start to the year where he made his first cut in four starts at Pebble Beach last week. Pan, who featured in the Presidents Cup for the International Team in 2019, finished tied 44^th at Riviera in 2019 and plans to brush up on his putting.

“I like the Genesis course. Recently, I am doing well with my long irons but I am confident about the upcoming week. I need the putter to get hot and make birdies, so I will be spending more time on the practice greens to get ready,” said Pan.

Australia’s Adam Scott will defend his title in the US$9.3 million showpiece which offers 550 FedExCup points to the winner. Nine of the Top 10 players from the current FedExCup points list, led by Patrick Cantlay, will headline the tournament. Other Asian stars in the field include Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, Korea’s Si Woo Kim, winner of The American Express recently, and K.H. Lee, who finished runner-up at the Waste Management Phoenix Open two weeks ago.