Greater Noida, India, March 12: Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera hopes his wish of winning his first Asian Tour title will come true when the €1.8 million (approximately US$2.3 million) Avantha Masters gets underway at the Jaypee Greens Golf Course on Thursday.
Lankan Mithun eyes history at Avantha Masters
The talented Sri Lankan was on the verge of creating history at the Asian Tour season-opening event in Myanmar but was pipped to second place by Order of Merit leader Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand.
Mithun, who could have been the first Sri Lankan to win on the Asian Tour then, he will have another shot at glory at this week’s Avantha Masters, which is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
“That result in Myanmar really gave me lots of confidence as that has kept up my rankings on the Asian Tour. I feel proud to be the first Sri Lankan to hold a full card on the Asian Tour and my target is to win at least one event this year. It’s so near,” said Mithun who is the son to Nandasena, a famous name on the old Asian circuit during the 1980s and 1990s.
With his recent form, the Sri Lankan is confident that he can do better than his debut performance when he finished tied-29th last year.
“I had a good finish at the Avantha Masters last year and it’s really exciting to be back again. There are many good players this week and it’ll be great to play against them,” said Mithun
As the flag bearer for golf in Sri Lanka today, Mithun also hopes he can serve as an inspiration for his fellow countrymen and take golf in his country to greater heights.
“A lot of Sri Lankans are following the Asian Tour as a result of my performances and many of them have been supporting me back home. They’ve been following my progress closely and cheering me every step of the way. I want to make my country proud and that’s why I’m also here,” said Mithun.
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, the most prolific British winner in European Tour history, will make his first appearance at the Avantha Masters. He will be joined by Ryder Cup stars Ignacio Garrido of Spain, England’s David Howell, Italy’s Edoardo Molinari, Frenchman Thomas Levet and Welshman Philip Price.
The Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013, will feature other top contenders including Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, a three-time Tour winner, Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg, Australia’s Scott Hend and Korean-American David Lipsky.
After enjoying a sensational rookie year in 2012, Lipsky is determined to raise the bar even higher in his second year on the Asian Tour.
The Avantha Masters is Lipsky’s first Asian Tour event for 2013 and he is aiming to get his season off to a good start.
Meanwhile 2010 Avantha Masters champion Andrew Dodt of Australia is looking to revive his career in a place where he savoured his maiden victory three years ago.
The Australian has not reached the dizzy heights of his breakthrough year in 2010. He spent most of his 2012 season playing in Europe where his indifferent form almost caused him to lose his card.
Tags: Andrew Dodt, Avantha, Avantha Masters, David Howell, Golf, Greater Noida, India, Jaypee Greens Golf Course, Mithun Perera, Sri Lanka
