Sans Wie-mania, in-form Ghei eyes maiden SK Telecom title in Seoul

Seoul, May 22 (UNI) After a so-close-yet-so-far third place finish at last week's Macau Open, ace golfer Gaurav Ghei will hope his newly-found rich vein of form that bagged him the Bejing Open translates into another Asian Tour victory when he tees off alongwith four compatriots at the SK Telecom Open here from May 24-27.

The 6,00,000-dollar event at BA Vista Country Club has a bit of history attached to it as a 16-year-old teenage phenomenon Michelle Wie rewrote a slice of history with her maiden appearance on the Asian Tour by becoming the first women since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to make the cut on a men's international Tour last year.

Among the other Indians in the fray -- Rahil Gangjee, Amandeep Johl, SSP Chowrasia and Digvijay Singh, will all want to make their mark felt on the Asian Tour, as Ghei's sizzling form has robbed them of a chance to make international headlines.

However, India's Jeev Milkha Singh who finished tied second alongside local hope Lee Seung-ho will be missing form the strong line-up.

Meanwhile, the Asian Tour has extended its condolences to India's Uttam Singh Mundy and his family following the passing of his wife Ashbira Mundy on Sunday. Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said, ''This is tragic news for the Asian Tour family.'' World No 29 Australian Aaron Baddeley, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour and local star Charlie Wi will also give it their all here. Baddeley claimed a long-awaited victory at the Verizon Heritage and has maintained his fine form through 2007 by winning the FBR Open in February for his second US PGA Tour title.

Tipped as a future Major champion, the 26-year-old Baddeley stunned the golfing world in 1999 by becoming the youngest winner at the Australian Open while he was still an amateur and proved that his victory was not a flash in the pan when he retained his title in the following year after turning professional.

Even defending champion Thai youngster Prom Meesawat will want to add to his maiden victory that he achieved here.

Wie-mania gripped Korea the moment the Hawaiian-based American touched down the weekend before the SK Telecom Open. Every where she went, hordes of fans followed and traffic even stood to a near standstill during the second round where she strode past the 16th fairway, which was near a freeway.

Other top names who will shoot for glory include former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Korea's latest sensation Kim Kyung-tae, Hur Suk-ho, known better as SK Ho, and Kim Dae-sub.

UNI