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| December 24, 2006 | Sunday | Zilhaj 02, 1427 |
Rodgers to defend Pakistan Open golf crown
KARACHI, Dec 23: England's Chris Rodgers, who captured maiden Asian Tour Pakistan Open golf title at the beginning of the year, is looking forward to defend his crown when the 72-hole US$300,000 event gets into action at Karachi Golf Club (KRC) next month.
Douglas White, director Event Services, APGA, who specially visited the country to inspect the arrangements in the recent past gave a go ahead to KRC to again serve as a venue. He had also visited Arabian Sea Country Club (ASCC) to personally see the facilities there during his stay in the city.
Rodgers, who came after winning the Qualifying School, said that magical run of form persuaded him to remain on Tour adding his maiden victory provided him a new lease of life.
“It's a cherished memory that I will have for all my life,” said Rodgers, ahead of the 2007 Pakistan Open which runs from Jan 18-21.
“It was my first major win on a main Tour that came at a good time as I was about to quit the game, said Rodgers. “Obviously after winning the Qualifying School followed by Pakistan Open, my life has changed a lot. It has opened new avenues for me,” he said.
The road to victory in Pakistan was complete for Rodgers when he fired a 15-under-par 273 total, finishing four shots ahead of Indian duo of Amadeep Johl and Jeev Milkha Singh, the 2006 UBS Order of Merit champion.
The triumph also helped Rodgers gain a two-year exemption on the Asian Tour.
Apart from the win, Rodgers also enjoyed a top-three finish at the Philippines Open in May and claimed 10th place at the Taiwan Masters in October. Rodgers, who moved to Thailand in late 2005, believes that he has broken the mental barrier after his feat in Pakistan which has given him the confidence to strive for more success in Asia.
The Englishman added that it was more than a stroke of good luck that helped him stay ahead of the chasing pack on the final day in Karachi. Rodgers admitted that his performance that day highlighted by the miraculous par save on the fourth hole even surprised himself.
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