With wife on his side, Pilkadaris eyes Aamby Valley glory

Mumbai, May 2 (UNI) As many as 20 winners from the Asian Tour will tee up hoping to pocket the winner's purse of 63,400 dollar in the inaugural Aamby Valley Asian Masters when the 400,000 dollar event gets underway here from May 11-14.

Leading the international challenge will be battle-hardened Aussie Terry Pilkadaris who has won a title in every season since his double victory in China in 2004 and with wife-cum-mental trainer Monique back on caddying duties, he will be the firm favourite here.

''Monique is my biggest influence in my career. She knows how I operate and how to get the best out of me,'' he said.

The star-studded field also includes Canadian veteran Rick Gibson, Korean-born American Anthony Kang and Australians Marcus Both and Jason Dawes.

Both, the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year 2003, has been remodelling his swing in recent months and mixed two top-10s this season with six missed cuts.

Asian talents will include Thai sensation Chinarat Phadungsil, compatriot Chapchai Nirat and Filipino Angelo Que.

Chinarat shot into limelight when he won the inaugural Double A International Open on home soil -- then still an amateur.

He beat Shiv Kapur in a play-off and with the Aamby Valley Asian Masters being a new event, the 17-year-old will have his morale high after a tied sixth finish at the co-sanctioned Maybank Malaysian Open.

The Aamby Valley Asian Masters is the 13th leg of this season's Asian Tour Schedule.

UNI XC AY PG VV1719