BANGKOK, Thailand: Justin Harding of South Africa is banking on his blistering form this season to reverse his fortunes at the €1 million (approximately US$1.14 million) AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open which tees off on Thursday.
The 32-year-old failed to make the cut at the Mauritius Open in the last three editions of the tournament, but based on how he has been faring on the Asian Tour, Harding is confident that the outcome will be different this year when the event is hosted at the Four Seasons Golf Club, Mauritius at Anahita.
The South African has been resplendent in 2018, having notched five top-10s including two victories in his last nine starts on the Asian Tour. He is placed third on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings and he is the highest-ranked player in the field.
Like Harding, Brazil’s Adilson Da Silva and Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski have made their career breakthrough on the Asian Tour this year.
Da Silva had a wretched start to the season, as he did not progress to the weekend rounds in his first six tournaments. However, his season turned around in a big way when he emerged victorious in Chinese Taipei two months ago.
Lifted by his recent victory, the Brazilian is raring to bring his momentum to Mauritius.
Kokocinski was making significant headway on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) at the start of this year. He seized his chances when he was given the opportunity to play an Asian Tour event in Bangladesh and went on to win the tournament by three shots.
The Swede has admitted that his game has not been up to scratch since his victory, but he feels that he is slowly rediscovering the form and he hopes for another breakthrough at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
Did you know:
– Justin Harding received an invitation to play at the Indonesia Open by virtue of his good form on the Sunshine Tour. He went on to win the tournament and took up Asian Tour membership.
– A fortnight later, he won the Royal Cup, becoming the first player on Tour to win twice in his first two starts in Asia.
– In addition to two victories, Harding has also notched three top-10s this season. He was second at the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup, tied-fourth at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and 10th at the Yeangder TPC.
– Adilson Da Silva is the first Brazilian to win on the Asian Tour.
– Before his win in Chinese Taipei, Da Silva has made only three cuts in 11 starts this season. – He started the season with six consecutive missed cuts before claiming a tied-ninth place result at the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup
– Da Silva was given the honour of striking the first tee shot at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when golf made a return into the programme after 112 years.
– Malcolm Kokocinski was leading the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit before his victory at the Bangladesh Open this year.
– He is the second Swede to win on the Asian Tour this season after Alexander Bjork at the Volvo China Open
– Kokocinski’s best finish on the Asian Tour, prior to his breakthrough win, came at the 2016 Shinhan Donghae Open where he came in tied-fourth.
