Published July 17, 2008 on April 17, 2018

Chan Aims to Reignite Memories at the Panasonic Open Championship

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Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang is hoping for another unforgettable week in Japan as he prepares to take another shot at glory at the Panasonic Open Championship which starts on Thursday.

Chan had a season to remember in 2016 when he sensationally claimed his second Asian Tour victory at the Ibaraki Country Club, which is also the host venue for this week’s JP¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,370,000) event that is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

While he has not reached the heights of his 2016 Asian Tour season where he finished in fourth place on the merit standings, the 31-year-old is hoping to make up for lost time by battling his way back into winner’s circle again this week.

“Coming back to this golf course is always very exciting. After all, it was my first win in Japan and it always gives me a good feeling whenever I come back to a place where I’ve won before. I try not to give myself too much pressure as it might do more harm than good. What’s important is to enjoy the week and play to my own strengths. This is a long course and it’s important to drive the ball well and I’ve been working hard on my driving before coming over here,” said Chan.

India’s Ganganjeet Bhullar is also eyeing a grandstand finish to pip current Panasonic Swing leader Shiv Kapur to the top prize as the Panasonic Swing series reaches its conclusion on Sunday.

The Indian still has a mathematically chance of overtaking his compatriot and knows he is capable of surmounting a late challenge if he plays true to form.

“I did some work on my swing during the break and I’m really excited to be back and playing these next few events on the Asian Tour. I still have a chance of pipping Shiv to the top prize for the Panasonic Swing. Overtaking him to the top spot is still at the back of my mind and the key to doing well here is to swing the ball well and give myself lots of birdie opportunities here. It has been a decent start to the season. I had one top-10 finish this year so far but the goal is to play well and always do better than what I’ve been doing the last few years. The last time I played here was in 2016. It’s a great course and it’s long. I believe there’s less rough this time around and might be advantageous to players from the Asian Tour,” said Bhullar.

Like Bhullar, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe can also clinch the Panasonic Swing series should Kapur misses the cut and he wins the Panasonic Open Championship.

After enduring several close finishes in 2017, Vincent, who is the first Zimbabwean to play on the Asian Tour, will be counting on his biggest fan and wife, Kelsey to steer him to his maiden breakthrough on the Asian Tour.