Singapore's Lam aims for the stars at Johnnie Walker Classic

PERTH: Singapore���s Lam Chih Bing hopes a maiden appearance at the Johnnie Walker Classic, which tees off on Thursday this week will help reignite his stuttering start to the new season.
The 32-year-old, winner of the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in December, is itching to get his game into gear at the 1.25 million pound event at The Vines Resort and Country Club after missing the cut in his first two events on the Asian Tour.
Big-hitting Lam has always held a high regard for the Johnnie Walker Classic after watching the stars of the game perform at his doorstep when the event was staged at Singapore Island Country Club in 1993.
"When I was a kid, I watched my first Johnnie Walker Classic when it came to Singapore and they had great players like Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Fred Couples then. I was like a kid in a candy shop. I was there every day and even skipped school to watch the event," recalled Lam.
Golf great Norman, who has won over 80 tournaments worldwide including the 1994 Johnnie Walker Classic, will provide the star appeal once more this week along with Camilo Villegas of Colombia, American Anthony Kim and England���s Lee Westwood, ranked ninth, 11th and 12th in the world respectively.
The Johnnie Walker Classic is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.
"Norman is my all-time favourite and the opportunity to see him in action in Singapore was an unbelievable experience. He is still competing at a high level which is a great credit to him," said Lam.
"My game is a bit rusty from the end-of-season break. Hopefully this is the week when everything comes together. I���ve worked hard at the range and I like the course which is a good layout. You have to hit it well and there are not short cuts to a good number here. My game is showing some good signs and today was the best that I���ve hit it this year."
Lam added that he is under no pressure to quickly produce a second Tour victory following his career breakthrough. "I���m not putting any pressure on myself. The win hasn���t changed what I���m supposed to do out here. I���m going to stick to the same routine," he said.
India���s Shiv Kapur will tee up on Thursday with positive vibes spurring him on. When The Vines last hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic in 2006, Kapur, the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2005, sparkled amongst the stars to finish tied 12th.
He also contended in the tournament when it was played in India for the first time last year, finishing tied fifth. "The 2006 Johnnie Walker was my first big tournament. I played with Fred Couples, Craig Parry and Robert Allenby who were the guys I grew up idolising and to play well and match them was good experience," said the 27-year-old Kapur.
"It has been a good event for me, it just gives me good vibes and this game is so much about the mental side of things as well. When you feel good going into the week, half the battle is won."
Kapur was also in the title hunt at last week���s Maybank Malaysian Open but his challenge fizzled with a disappointing 41 on the front nine on Sunday.
"I played good for 63 holes. I got a bit impatient and got ahead of myself," said Kapur. "There is a tendency of being impatient and hopefully I learn from that."
Chinese star Liang Wen-chong hopes lessons learnt in Malaysia will lead him to a good outing at the Johnnie Walker Classic, which has yet to herald an Asian winner since its inauguration in 1990.
"I made a three putt on the 14th hole which knocked me off my stride. My concentration wavered as I had a long first putt and I started to worry about three putting the hole and hit a poor first putt," said Liang, who finished seventh in Malaysia.
"The Vines is a very good test of golf and the key will be the approach shots. The greens are fast and firm and you���ve got to play smart golf to get it around here."