Malaysian pro Danny Chia earned his second shot at the British Open when he won the International Fina Qualifying – Asia earlier this week.
Asia may have their own tour but it is the dream of all players to match themselves against the world’s best players. And what better arena than the British Open, which this year is being played at Royal Birkdale.
Chia won the two-round tournament at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club and he will be joined at the Open by fellow qualifiers Adam Blyth, of Australia, Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and Filipino Angelo Que.
Only four players qualified from the field with Lam and Que having to overcome Japan’s Tomohiro Kondo in a playoff to earn the last two places.
Chia scored two 69s on the par-71 course to return to the Open following his debut three years ago at St Andrews. He said in a press release:
“I feel proud to be the only Malaysian at the Open. It always feels good to be in the same event with the world’s best golfers and it’ll be my goal to play well at Royal Birkdale.â€
Blyth thought he had blown his chances of a July trip to Britain after a 73 in the first round. However, he recovered with six birdies in the second round to shoot 66 and earn second place behind Chia.
The 26-year-old Aussie, who described himself as “stoked†at qualifying for Royal Birkdale will be making his first trip to the Open.
After a 73 on Tuesday, Blyth produced a six-birdie round to earn his Open ticket. “The putts just went in today,†said the 26-year-old Aussie, who had his father Steve on caddying duty.
For Lam, it will be his second Open, having qualified for last year’s Carnoustie event. But he had to endure an anxious play-off, sealing his place with a birdie on the second extra hole with a two-foot putt.
“It feels awesome. I was so nervous and standing over the putt, my hands were just shaking. Thank God it’s over. I can’t wait to get back to the Open. It’s unbelievable to play in a Major championship. Last year was the best experience in my life and I’m looking forward to getting back there.â€
Que, meanwhile, needed four extra holes to eliminate Kondo, finally booking his ticket with a long birdie putt.
