Mercedes Benz Asean Tour

Hanoi, November 19: This week’s Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam has attracted a strong line-up of some of the region’s most talented young golfers including four players who have already tasted victory on the fledgling circuit.

Malaysia’s top golfer Danny Chia, the talent Thai duo of Wisut Artjanawat and Pariya Junhasavasdikul plus Felix Casas from the Philippines, all proven winners, will tee-off when the US$50,000 tournament starts tomorrow at Van Tri Golf Club, near Hanoi. 

Pariya is the most recent winner having claimed the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore two weeks ago. Wisut won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines in May while Casas was victorious in the B-Ing Championship in Thailand in September.

November 8: Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul toppled local hero Lam Chih Bing from Singapore to win the US$50,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore today.

Pariya, who started the final round four shots behind Lam in second place, fired a three-under-par 69 for a two shot victory over his Singaporean opponent.

Lam carded a disappointing 75 at Laguna National Golf and Country Club, while a shot further back in joint third place were Nakul Vichitryuthasastr from Thailand and Filipino Juvic Pagunsan.

“I really didn’t think I had much chance of winning at the start of the day. Even after nine holes I was a couple shots back but then things came together. It’s a special feeling to win my first professional title especially as my parents are here this week,” said Pariya, who ended with a four-round aggregate of 11-under-par 277.

November 7: Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing took charge of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore today after playing what he described as arguably the best ball striking round of his career.

Lam hit all 18 greens in regulation on the Masters Course at Laguna National Golf and Country Club for a third round five-under-par 67 for a convincing four stroke lead over Michael Bibat from the Philippines, Malaysian M.Sasidaran and Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul.

Bibat, the 2004 Singapore Amateur champion, and first-round leader Sasidaran both shot 68s. Pariya, the leader at the start of the day, came in with a 73.

November 6: Unheralded young Thai golfers Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Piya Swangarunpron were the surprise front runners after the second round of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore today.

Pariya carded a five-under-par 67 on the Masters Course at Laguna National Golf and Country Club for a one shot lead over Piya, who came in with a 68.

Pariya leads the US$50,000 event on nine-under-par 135.

Two strokes behind the leader is Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, who returned a 70.

Overnight leader M. Sasidaran from Malaysia, who had a first round 66, slipped back with a 74 and is five behind along with Filipino Michael Bibat, winner of the Singapore Amateur Open in 2004.