With an elite field set to gather in the US$2 million Maybank Malaysian Open, let’s look at some of the top contenders at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
 
Mark Brown
Having won two consecutive titles on the Asian Tour, Mark Brown will be the latest among the array of stars chasing for a win in this week’s Maybank Malaysian Open. The Kiwi talent rose to stardom with his double triumphs in India as he will now be looking to continue the momentum and create history by winning three events in a row at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
 
S.S.P Chowrasia
S.S.P Chowrasia battled an elite field of Asian and European golfers for his maiden win at the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters last month. With a new found confidence in his game, he will be banking on his steady pair of hands on course at Kota Permai to see him produce a repeat performance at the Maybank Malaysian Open.    
 
Darren Clarke
Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke will be hoping to strike it right at this week’s US$2 million Asian Tour and European Tour sanctioned event in Malaysia. He finished tied third in South Africa last December and will be looking to improve on his ranking and rejuvenate his winning form.
 
Thongchai Jaidee
Thai stalwart Thongchai Jaidee will eager to strike it right at the Maybank Malaysian Open this week after having won the title twice before in 2004 and 2005. He has been a crowd favourite and was close again when he finished a stroke behind winner Charlie Wi in the weather shortened 2006 edition. Competing at the challenging Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, Thongchai will be expected to stay ahead of the pack this week.
 
Peter Hedblom
Defending champion Peter Hedblom will return with fond memories after ending an 11-year-wait with a triumph at last year’s Maybank Malaysian Open. He has already produced two top-10s this season on the European Tour and will be eager to step foot at the Kota Permai Golf and Country hoping for a repeat success.
 
Jyoti Randhawa
India’s Jyoti Randhawa is currently enjoying steady form chalking up three top-10 finishes in his last three appearances that included a runner-up result at the Sail Open presented by Jaypee Greens two weeks ago. He will return to Kota Permai Golf and Country Club with fond memories having tasted victory on the course during the 2004
Volvo Masters of Asia in 2004 and finished runner-up in the 2005 Malaysian Open.
 
Arjun Atwal
Arjun Atwal will be among the players tipped to make a charge for the title at the Maybank Malaysian Open. The Florida-based golfer will head to the US$2 million with a clear mind hoping to end his Asian campaign on a high note with a repeat winning performance in 2003, the same year he was crowned as Asia’s number one. He is riding on steady form this year and will be geared to deliver at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.