Indians geared up for Queen

May 23, 2014: A strong contingent of seventeen Indians, led by Asian Tour’s Order of Merit leader Anirban Lahiri, will be part of the sixth edition of the Queen’s Cup. The US$300,000 event will be held at the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club on the holiday isle of Samui from June 5-8.

A four-time winner on the Asian Tour Anirban Lahiri will try to revive his good form, which he seems to have lost in Philippines, last fortnight. This should be his first challenge after his marriage  scheduled this month end.

Rahil Gangjee, who is fourth on the Asian Tour’s merit will also utilize his recent good form. Other prominent Indians joining the Queen’s Cup race include SAIL-SBI winner Rashid Khan, seasoned Jyoti Randhwa and Shiv Kapur.

[highlight] Anirban Lahiri,Rashid Khan, Rahil Gangjee, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur are prominent Indians likely to play at the  Queen’s Cup [/highlight]

In the first five edition of the tournament, which made its debut on the Asian Tour Schedule in 2009, Thai golfers have emerged as winners on four occasions.

In its inaugural year, home favorite Chinnarat Phadungsil won the title with a winning aggregate of 16-under-par 268, which stands as the tournament’s lowest score. Chinnarat’s success also set the tone for Thailand’s top golfers to achieve success in the Queen’s Cup, with Chawalit Plaphol (2011), Thaworn Wiratchant (2012) and Prayad Marksaeng (2013) winning the tournament as well.

The only non-Thai golfer who has tasted victory in Samui is Japanese veteran Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who came out victorious in 2010.

The Queen’s Cup is one of four major tournaments in Thailand on the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.

The other tournaments include the King’s Cup, Thailand Golf Championship and Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT.

Thaworn, a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, has already confirmed his participation in the Queen’s Cup while other top Thais expected to challenge for honours include Prom Meesawat and Arnond Vongvanij, who finished runner-up to Prayad in last year’s tournament.

Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Queen’s Cup is held in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit.