A look at the 2009 Playing Field

After a long two-month break since May, the Asian Tour is back with a full swing, starting with Indonesia President Invitational. Only on its third consecutive year, the tournament once again promises a memorable show with its undoubtedly exciting list of players. In addition to the 2007 Winner Juvic Pagunsan and 2008 Winner Scott Hend, here are a few of notable past participants who will be back for a chance to claim the this year’s title:

• Thaworn Wiratchant
  Thaworn Wiratchant’s name is nothing new to those who have been in following the Asian Tour tournaments. The 42-year-old Thai golfer has so far banked 10 Asian Tour wins under his belt, constantly making top 10 in the Order of Merit list since 2003 and topped the money list in 2005 with 4 tournament wins during that year alone, including the 2005 Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesia Open, an Asian Tour event co-sanctioned with European Tour. Thaworn competed in the 2008 Indonesia President Invitational and made the top 10 with a 7th place finish.
• Gaganjeet Bhullar
  Young Gaganjeet Bhullar has been consistently showing signs as a promising rising star since the beginning of his professional career in 2006. Earlier this year Gaganjeet qualified for his first major tournament, the 2009 British Open by placing top 4 in the International Final Qualifying. Gaganjeet has been a loyal participant of Indonesia President Invitational since its beginning in 2007, where he placed 2nd and only lost the winning title by one shot. Last year in 2008, though unable to re-orchestra his previous year performance, Gaganjeet made the cut and finished a respectable tied for 39th rank.
• Chapchai Nirat
  The 25-year-old Thai golf prodigy turned pro in 1998 when he was only 15 years old and joined Asian Tour in 2005. Earlier this year in the 2009 Sail open, Chapchai managed to stun the world and made a buzz as he broke the Asian Tour’s records for 36, 54 and 72 holes best scores, shooting a total of impressive 32 under par score by the end of the final day (62-62-65-67). In 2007, he participated in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational with a T10 finish.
• Noh Seung-yul
  18-year-old South Korean Noh Seung-yul turned pro in 2007 and immediately made his name with impressive tournament finishes. He was named Rookie of the year in 2008 due to his stunning performance during that season, placing 2nd in three tournaments before winning in 2008 Midea China Classic and finishing 10th place in the Asian Tour’s 2008 Order of merit. Participating in 2008 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational and placing tied for 15th place surely helped him accomplish the feat.
• Mardan Mamat
  Like Thaworn, Mardan Mamat is a name often heard in the scene of Asian Tour. The 41 year old Singaporean golfer turned pro in 1994 and has been with Asian Tour since the beginning of its time in 1995. During his professional career, Mardan constantly makes the top 50 in the Order of Merit and has recorded two Asian Tour wins under his belt, the 2004 Royal Challenge Indian Open and 2006 Singapore Masters. In 2007 Mardan participated in Indonesia President Invitational, finishing in T29 place.
• Rory Hidayat Hie
  Prior to turning pro, 20-year-old Rory Hie enjoyed a successful amateur career in the US where he played for University of Southern California, one of the top collegiate golf team in the nation. In 2008, the Indonesian golfer played in the Indonesia President Invitational just days after announcing his pro status. He unfortunately missed the cut but later made it up when he won his first professional title in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz International Championship. Rory also went on to become the first Indonesian player to qualify for a full Asian Tour card and a conditional card in European Tour.
• Maan Nasim
  Maan Nasim has constantly performed as one of the nation’s best golfer. Earlier this year Maan left his competitor in the dust when he fired an impressive 16-under-par to win the Ancora Pro Series 2, topping PGPI (Indonesia Professional Golf Association)’s Order of Merit and earning him the #1 spot from PGPI to compete in the 2009 Indonesia President Invitational. Maan also previously competed in the 2008 tournament and became one of the only three Indonesian players to make the cut, with a respectable T54 finish.

Guests and golf enthusiasts can now view the entry list for Indonesia President Invitational over at the Asian Tour’s official website. Click here to view the entry list.