Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia (Oct 14-17, 2009)
From mercedes-benztour.com:
Rory Raring to go in Indonesia
October 13, Jakarta: Indonesia’s Rory Hie could be the man to beat at this week’s Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia as Emeralda Golf and Country Club, which is host the venue for the second successive season.
The 21 year old, in his second year as a professional, knows the courses there like the back of his hand as he has been regularly practicing at the club.
Hie will also be buoyed by the fact he won The International Championship last year on home soil to become the first Indonesian to win on the Mercedes-Benz Tour. It was also his first victory as a professional.
The US$60,000 tournament tees-off on Wednesday and is the penultimate tournament on this year’s Mercedes-Benz Tour.
“I know Emeralda really well. I have played there a lot and it is practically my home course in Jakarta. I have shot eight under around there before but not during a tournament. The set up will be different for a tournament but I definitely have an advantage playing there,” said Hie.
The young golfer has not made the impact that was expected of him this year. He turned professional in August of last year and enjoyed a good debut season highlighted by his victory on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.
He has played on the Asian Tour and Challenge Tour in Europe this year but has been dogged by injuries.
“I am playing better now but I got out of my rhythm this season. I had an injury on my right leg and also got an irritation in my eye. I will go for Lazik eye surgery later this year. My eye problem actually started when I was changing my contact lenses on a flight in Europe. I had to go to a hospital in Italy for treatment,” said Hie.
The leg injury has virtually heeled so it appears Hie is better placed to start playing well again.
He attended the University of Southern California and was at one point ranked the sixth best amateur in the world. The talented golfer attended college for two years and then opted to leave prematurely as he felt he was ready for the professional game.
Plenty of other players will also fancy their chances including compatriot Andik Mauludin, who finished second to Hie in The International Championship last year when still an amateur. He turned professional soon after.
Other top contenders aiming to give Hie a run for the title this week include multiple Mercedes-Benz Tour winner Malaysian Danny Chia, who finished third at Emeralda last year, 2008 Player of the Year Wisut Artjanawat from Thailand and his compatriot Thammanoon Srirot, an Asian Tour winner, Singapore’s Quincy Quek and Felix Casas from the Philippines.
Meeting with the President of Indonesia – SBY
Rory had an opportunity to shake hands with the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, before the closing ceremony of IPI 2009, thanks to Pak Gita Wirjawan (Chairman of Ancora International and Rory’s sponsor).
Asian Tour Weekly – IPI 2009
Short part of the Asian Tour Weekly feature:
Banners – IPI 2009
Golf Digest – June '09 Edition
Rory was featured in Golf Digest June 2009 edition.
Male Emporium – May 2009 Edition
Rory was featured in Male Emporium magazine (May ‘09 edition).
Rising Indonesian mens golf star Rory Hie is set to embark on his European trip with a debut in the Challenge Tour
From golfblogger.co.uk:
Rising Indonesian golf star Rory Hie is set to embark on his European trip with a debut in the Challenge Tour at next month’s 150,000 Euro Piemonte Open in Turin, Italy.
The Challenge Tour features 27 tournaments, and ends in October, but Rory is looking to play in only three tournaments, with more of his playing time dedicated to the Asian Tour.
Rory, who was accompanied by his parents during a recent interview at the Ancora Golf Academy in Serpong, Banten, was still undecided on which other tournaments he would be aiming for.
Rory, who turned pro last October after standing out as one of the top 10 amateurs in the world, earned the right to play in the Challenge Tour after he finished in the top 70 at last year’s European Tour Qualifying School in Jerez and Catalunya, Spain.
The 20-year-old has modest expectations about his Challenge debut, although he harbors hopes about winning a tournament in order to attain exemption for another two years.
Rory has just returned home from his residence in the United States, where he honed his golfing skills while studying at a college in California.
Rory was sixth on the R&A world amateur golf rankings last August, which earned him a place in the Asian Tour Qualifying School without having to play in the early stages.
Rory is now looking to Europe before returning to the Asian Tour, where he plans to play in 25 tournaments this year, with the Maekyung Open in Seoul his next stop.
Indonesia Now – Metro TV – April 25, 2009
Rory was interviewed on “Indonesia Now”, an international Metro TV news program with host Dalton Tanonaka.
Meet and Greet with Rory Hie – April 19, 2009
Pictures from “Meet & Greet with Rory Hie” with the juniors, held at Rawamangun Jakarta Golf Club.
Media Interviews – April 8, 2009
Behind the scene pictures from the Male Emporium and Golf Digest interviews:
Next Page »