Asia’s Top Golf runners up Mithun believes in patience

Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Singapore (Asiantour.com): Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera is confident that his second-placed finish at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine last week will serve as a barometer of his performance for the season.

The Sri Lankan got his 2013 Asian Tour season off to a flying start, when he secured his best-ever result by finishing second, a single shot behind winner Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand.

Mithun Perera

It could even have been a historical feat for Mithun had Chawalit not birdied his last two holes to win his fourth Asian Tour title at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

Mithun would then become the first Sri Lankan to win on the Asian Tour at the US$ 300,000 event, which is the curtain raiser for the 10th Asian Tour season. “All you need is one good week to turn your life around. I feel my time is coming soon. I try my best in every tournament and I think the win is not far away,” Mithun said.

“I’m sure that my father and the people of my country are proud of me. This week, I flew the Sri Lankan flag high. There’s no disappointment for me,” added the 26-year-old.

After finishing the 50 on the Order of Merit to earn his Tour card for this season, Mithun who is the son to Nandasena, a famous name on the old Asian circuit during the 1980s and 1990s, has raised the bar higher for himself, this season.

“I feel that I’ve grown a lot since last year. I have good and accurate tee shots. My putter is good as well. I do lack in distance off the tees but the win will come,” Mithun added.

With the Asian tour heading to India for the SBI-SAIL Open next week, the Sri Lankan is looking forward to reignite his title hopes.

“I have a chance to win on the shorter courses like the Delhi Golf Club. My accuracy is the highlight of my game. All I need now is a bit of luck,” Mithun said. Chawalit, who leads the Order of Merit, courtesy of his win in Myanmar, is targeting a top-10 finish at the end of the season. “I can play without much pressure now but I’ll aim to finish inside the top-10 of the Order of Merit. My game is on track. I just need to work on my iron for the rest of the year,” said the Thai.

Singapore’s Quincy Quek, meanwhile credited his ‘never-say-die’ attitude for propelling him to seventh place on the rankings after enjoying his best result since turning professional in 2009. “I was six shots back before the round. When I won my first Asian Development Tour (ADT) event I was six shots back as well. But I told myself that I’ll take whatever that comes my way,” said the Singaporean, who finished tied-seventh at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine.

“The guys ahead of me are all really good players and have won before. I just want to go out there and do my thing. I’m pleased that I was able to come back during the weekend. Normally I would fall back but this time around I’m happy with my five-under,” added Quek.

The Asian Tour will travel Thailand for the International Final Qualifying (IFQ), Asia which will be held at the Amata Spring Golf and Country from 28 February to 1 March.