Published July 17, 2008 on March 20, 2019

Green’s Hoping for a Good Outing at the Maybank Championship

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Malaysia’s Gavin Green believes the comforts of home will give him the opportunity to put up a performance befitting of his status as the country’s number one golfer when the Maybank Championship starts on Thursday.

He said, “I feel good, I’ve been playing well the last few weeks. I’ve just had a couple of hiccups here and there that disrupted the whole game, but it’s been good so far. I got my coach down for a couple of days and worked with him, trying to get ready for this event.”

Green, who has been plying his trade mainly in Europe since claiming the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit crown, is playing in a home event for the first time in almost a year.

“It’s such a big one for me. I love playing in front of a home crowd. I don’t really get much opportunity like this as I’ve been playing more in Europe nowadays,” he added.

The Malaysian’s last appearance on home soil was at the Maybank Championship last year where he finished tied-39th and he is seeking a much-improved performance in front of the local crowd this week.

“The greens should be good all week. After last year they tore them down and re-did them. It’s the first time they’ve been open since the changes. The greens are quick, especially with the contours, it gets really fast. You need to be aware of where they put the pins. You’ve got to think your way around. If you miss in the wrong spots you can get into some serious trouble here,” said Green.

Australian rookie Zach Murray, who claimed his Asian Tour breakthrough in New Zealand at the start of the month, is hoping to continue his winning run in Malaysia.

The 21-year-old served notice of his talent with his wire-to-wire victory in what was only his third start on the Asian Tour since coming through the Qualifying School last December.

Newly appointed Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington is meanwhile playing in his first competitive event after suffering a broken wrist at home late last year.

The Irishman is aware of the tough challenge ahead as he believes the course conditions at the Saujana Golf and Country Club will provide one of the sternest tests for players who are used to playing in Europe.