Kiyota eyes maiden success

2008-03-19 14:22

Thailand - Japan's Taichiro Kiyota is hoping his rich vein of form will secure him a maiden title at the Asian Tour International which tees off on Thursday.

Kiyota, 27, is relishing a return to the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort, where he first earned his Asian Tour card through qualifying school in 2006.

The slightly built Japanese is the highest-ranked player in this week's inaugural $300 000 event and he hopes to live up to his top billing.

"My form is good but I've been quite lucky too. My short game and putting have been really solid, which helped me produce a nice start to the year. But coming into this week is going to be tough," said Kiyota, who stands eighth on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit.

He will be joined by a strong Japanese contingent that includes Tatsuhiko Ichihara, Takuya Taniguchi, Yoshinobu Tsukada, and Mitsuhiro Tateyama.

The local charge will be led by Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng alongside Malaysia's Ben Leong, former US PGA Tour player Scott Hend of Australia, Filipino Artemio Murakami and Indian stalwart Gaurav Ghei.

'I finished well'

After finding his feet in Asia last season, Kiyota has enjoyed a strong run in 2008, challenging for the Johnnie Walker Classic title in India before settling for tied second place.

"I finished well at the Johnnie Walker Classic earlier in the month and I hope to carry my momentum here. I am enjoying the start of my second year on the Asian Tour."

Thailand's Prayad, who is bound for the US Masters next month, will be among the local stars eager for a winning run on a course which saw him clinch a local title last year.

The popular Thai has won six titles on the Asian Tour, with his last win being the Volvo Masters of Asia on home soil in December.

"There are a lot of good players this week, it will be a challenging affair. I have a strong chance because I have won on this course before," he said.

The Asian Tour International, being played on the par-72 course, is the seventh leg on the 2008 Asian Tour.

- AFP