I want no Ryder Cup favours, says recovering Kim

Toronto, July 22, 2010: Anthony Kim, who has been out for more than two months due to thumb surgery, could be fit to play in next month's U.S. PGA Championship but is more concerned about making sure he qualifies for the Ryder Cup team.

"I think so," the American told reporters at the Canadian Open on Wednesday when asked if he would be ready for the year's final major at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from Aug. 12-15. "We're taking it week-to-week."

"I don't want to say I'm going to come back on a day and not show up so we're just trying to work as hard as we can (but) I definitely want to make that Ryder Cup team," added Kim who is unable to play in this week's tournament in Toronto.

"It's a very special event to me and hopefully I can get back and get some more points so I won't need to have any favours called in from Corey (Pavin)."

Kim is fourth in the Ryder Cup rankings. The top eight qualify automatically and Pavin adds four captain's picks for the biennial match with Europe at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales from Oct. 1-3.

Until taking his break after finishing joint seventh at the Quail Hollow Championship in May to repair ligaments in his left thumb, Kim was putting together the kind of campaign that would have guaranteed Ryder Cup selection.

Playing in just eight events, the 25-year-old American won more than $2.5 million and collected his third PGA Tour title at the Houston Open in April to go with a runner-up finish at the Honda Classic and a third place at the U.S. Masters.

Kim, whose main backer is also the title sponsor for the Canadian Open, had hoped to play this week but was advised by doctors to delay his return.

"I had a cast on for about four weeks and then put a splint on it for about three, four more weeks so it's been a long process," explained the world number 13.

"I was starting to hit some wedge shots and pitch shots so I thought maybe if I entered I'd have a chance by Thursday to come around. But after talking to my doctors they just said it would be better if I waited and better to be safe than sorry."

"You don't want to come back one week too early and then take three weeks off," said Kim.

"If you hit it bad, it hurts, mentally and physically. It's been a tougher comeback than I thought."

The Canadian Open starts on Thursday.

TOUR HEROES HEAD TO BRUNEI

Kuala Lumpur, July 21: Multiple Asian Tour winners Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang and India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar will headline a stellar cast at the Brunei Open next week.

The trio, who has won a combined total of 18 Asian Tour victories, will be determined to wrestle the title away from defending champion Darren Beck of Australia at the Empire Hotel and Country Club from July 29 to August 1.

A bevy of Asian Tour stars such as Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, Malaysian Danny Chia, Filipino Angelo Que and David Gleeson of Australia will also make their way to the US$300,000 full field Asian Tour tournament.

Thaworn, 44, is riding on a rich vein of form after winning a local tournament last week. He has enjoyed an impressive season so far where he finished tied third in Myanmar followed by a second placing at the Queen’s Cup in Thailand.

Having only missed one cut in seven tournaments, Thaworn, Asia’s number one in 2005, will be one of the main draw cards at the Brunei Open, which will celebrate its sixth edition on the Asian Tour.

Lin, a former Brunei Open champion in 2007, is relishing a happy homecoming to the venue which propelled him to stardom.

Following his victory in Brunei, Lin went on to enjoy one of his finest years on the Asian Tour in 2008. He emerged victorious twice in that season and finished second on the Order of Merit.

In 2009, he claimed his fifth Asian Tour victory on home soil which left him with one title shy of becoming Chinese Taipei’s most successful golfer on the Asian Tour. After enjoying a mixed season so far, Lin will be determined to bounce back to his best form.

“My golf game is good but it is only my stamina that is a worry. But I’m prepared for this tournament and look forward to playing again,” said Lin.

Indian star Bhullar, 22, is hoping to mend last year’s heartbreak where he lost in a three-way play-off to eventual winner Beck.

The immensely talented Bhullar got off to a fine start this season when he won his second title at the Asian Tour International in Thailand. He missed only one cut this season and will be eyeing for more glory at the Brunei Open, which kicks start the second half of the Asian Tour season.

“Winning your first event in the season gives you a lot of boost and confidence. Now I don’t have the burden on my mind to retain my card on the Asian Tour. But I’ll continue to work hard and perform well to keep my confidence high,” said Bhullar.