Danny Chia, a two-time Asian Tour winner, is in the twilight of his career and eyeing a move to the Japan Senior Tour this year.
Now 52, Chia will play in the final qualifying round in March.
“If successful, I will spend more time in Japan, but I will also try to play in some Asian Tour events,” said Chia, the first Malaysian to play in the final two rounds of a Major when he made the cut at the 2010 Open Championship.
“It would be great if I could play there. I also believe that younger professionals should consider playing in more overseas tours, although cost may be a factor.
“If they can do so, they will gain more experience, and it may help their world ranking as well.”
Chia was speaking ahead of the inaugural Albatross Cup, which tees off at the Seri Selangor Golf Club from Jan 6-7.
The rare match-play action on Malaysian soil will see Chia captaining one team, and fellow Olympian, Gavin Green, captaining the other side.
Chia hopes the experience of playing in the match-play tournament will benefit the players, who hardly have experience playing in the Ryder Cup-like format.
“Most Malaysian professionals are not used to playing match-play events, and this new tournament will be exciting and challenging,” said Chia, a two-time Asian Tour winner.
“The Albatross Cup is a great opportunity to showcase golfing talent in Malaysia. We have been practising hard these last few days, and we are looking forward to the tee-off.
“It can create an exciting spectacle for fans. I’m confident Team Danny will beat Team Gavin to emerge as the inaugural Albatross Cup champions.”
The players on Team Danny are Chia (captain), Khor Kheng Hwai (vice-captain), Ervin Chang, Edven Ying, Syahiran Syakir, Amir Nazrin, Fakhrul Akmal, Malcolm Ting, Nor Heikal Hadi, Daeng Abdul Rahman, Tony Lam, and Kenneth da Silva.
Wilson Choo is the reserve, while the non-playing vice-captain is Chong Chee Meng.
For Team Gavin, the players are Green (captain), Jeremiah Kim (vice-captain), Galven Green, Paul San, Sharifuddin Ariffin, Marcus Lim, Nasrullah Zulkifli, Danial Faidz, Casper Loh, Affif Fathi, Jaydon Pang, and Nicholas Fung.
Zia Izzuddeen is the reserve, with Keegan Kam, the non-playing vice-captain.
The Albatross Cup will feature five four-ball matches, five foursomes matches, and 12 singles matches, requiring a mix of individual brilliance, strategy, and teamwork.
There is no prize money at stake, and the players will compete for pride, honour, and the spirit of competition.
Green, who became the first and only Malaysian to top the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2017, said the Albatross Cup celebrates Malaysian golf.
“The Albatross Cup is about celebrating Malaysian golf at its highest level. I’m excited to lead such a talented team and can’t wait to see how we rise to the challenge,” said Green, who plays on the DP World Tour.
