Murakami aims to keep Asian Tour card at Johor Open

The Philippines’ Artemio Murakami is aiming to protect his regular card in the Asian Tour as he shoots for a strong finish in the Iskandar Johor Open slated in Johor Bahru, Malaysia starting Thursday. Murakami, winner of the inaugural Iskandar Johor Open tournament in 2007, has been off-form for most part of the year which leaves him and the rest of the Filipino players in the Asian Tour winless with only seven events left.

A Johor Open victory will ensure the Filipino-Japanese of retaining his AT card outright. A top-10, at least, will also help Murakami’s cause. “Naturally, I would want a win, no more, no less. Why make it harder when I could get the card automatic?" Murakami, a protégé of the country’s No. 1 player Frankie Miñoza said. The 25-year-old Murakami is seeking an inspiration that could fire up his cold putting this season. Hopefully, he’ll find it before the $1-million tournament begins at the Royal Johor Country Club, site of his triumph two years ago. “It is nice to return to where you first won as I have a lot of fond memories here. I am hitting quite well but I have been struggling with my putting the entire year so the key is to improve on my putting and give myself a chance," said Murakami who is currently in 72nd position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Murakami, whose best finish this season was tied for fifth place at the Indonesia President Invitational, will be banking on his course knowledge to put him in contention for his second win on the Asian Tour this week. “I feel that this course is one of the toughest on the Asian Tour because the greens are quite grainy and most of us have a hard time on the greens but I like this course a lot and it is like my home course so I am confident," said Murakami. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV