Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines are tipped to be among the top contenders to win spots at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup during Asian qualifying starting Wednesday. And golfing minnows Brunei and Bangladesh are ready to battle their way into the history books when they tee off for three available spots at the Seri Selangor Golf Club.
A total of 14 teams will be playing at the par-71 course. Among the top contenders are Malaysia, represented by Iain Steel and Danny Chia, Singapore, represented by Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat, and the Philippines, represented by Mars Pucay and Angelo Que. Brunei, represented by Pengiran Hassanal and Faiz Damit, and Bangladeshis Siddikur Rahman and Milon Ahmed, are dreaming of a World Cup appearance.
"For us to be here is a great thing and it will be a great feeling if we could see Brunei on top of the leaderboard," said Pengiran, the sultanate's first professional golfer. Siddikur's dream of playing on the Asian Tour became a reality when he earned his tour card at the Qualifying School in Thailand this year and he is hoping to sweeten his year with a ticket to China.
The format of play will be similar to the World Cup where fourball is played in the first and third rounds while foursomes (alternate shot) is played in the second and final rounds. A total of 28 nations will make up the final teams to play at the World Cup in Mission Hills Golf Club from November 26 to 29 where they will shoot for a total prize fund of 5.5 million dollars.