Mercedes Benz Asean Tour

Singapore, August 10: Singapore’s Mardan Mamat will attempt to successfully defend his Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore title when he tees-off tomorrow at Laguna National Golf and Country Club.

The US$60,000 tournament is the seventh event on this year’s Mercedes-Benz Tour, and has once again drawn one of the most formidable fields on the circuit.

Mamat, won by three strokes last year at Laguna National for his first win on the Tour, and starts as one of the favourites along with compatriot Lam Chih Bing.

A total of 35 Singaporeans have entered the tournament including rising stars Quincy Quek and Justin Han.

July 22, Kuala Lumpur: The third Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia will be played for the first time next month at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club – one of the country’s most highly rated golf clubs.

The US$60,000 tournament will tee-off from August 18 to 21 and is the eighth event on this year’s 10-leg Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Top Malaysians Danny Chia, Airil Rizman and 2008 champion Ben Leong will head the local challenge while Juvic Pagunsan from the Philippines and last year’s Merit champion Thailand’s Namchok Tantipkhakul will also compete.

In addition Singapore’s top two golfers Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing, both winners on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, have entered.

Khon Kaen, Thailand, July 18:  Legendary Thai Thaworn Wiratchant birdied the first play-off hole to beat countryman Namchok Tantipokhakul and win the Singha E-San Open on Sunday.

It was the former Asian number one’s second victory on the Mercedes-Benz Tour after his triumph in last season’s Heritage Melaka Classic.

The 43-year-old veteran missed a similar length birdie putt to win in regulation with his final round 68 giving him a 12-under-par total of 276.

Big-hitting Namchok, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit champion, closed with a three under 69 to take the contest into an extra hole.

Khon Kaen, Thailand, July 17:  Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol maintained his one-stroke lead in the Singha E-San Open on Saturday with a fighting one-under-par 71 in windy conditions.

The in-form Chawalit is looking for back-to-back victories on the Mercedes-Benz Tour after his exciting eight-stroke victory at the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Championship in the Philippines.

He is on 10-under-par 206 for three rounds and leads big-hitting countryman Namchok Tantipokhakul, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit champion, by a shot.