Golf: Newly regularized Jay Bayron makes Asian Tour debut

Myanmar - With a brand new card on hand, Jay Bayron plays his first regular tournament on the Asian Tour with the staging of the $300,000 Zaykabar Myanmar Open that will officially kick off the 2013 season starting Thursday.      Bayron, 33, booked his place among the Asia's premiere professional circuit last December when he finished as the top man in the Order of Merit of the Asian Development Tour (ADT), the step up league of the Asian Tour.      "I am very excited.  It's my first time in Myanmar and I'm looking for a great week," said Bayron. [Related: Minoza triumphs over Rufino Bayron in playoff for TCCI crown]      Two weeks ago at The Country Club Invitational, Jay Bayron and brother Rufino figured in a three-way playoff battle royale with Frankie Minoza, which the veteran Filipino legend won P1.5-million after a two-hole extension. Though he lost, he feels his game is coming along just fine.      "I've been practicing everyday since January.  I am in my better shape," he said.      As for his maiden stint as a regular pro in the Asian Tour, he will try his best to finish inside the top 20 of the Order of Merit.      "Winning might be tough as depth of the field is strong these days but I'll try," he also said.      To win in the Myanmar Open, he'll have to shoot in the 60s at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.      "The greens at Royal Mingalardon are challenging," as described by Bayron in his practice early today.  "If I can shoot three-under everyday, I'll be happy.  It's a wide open race to the title and players will need to have good iron play," he added.      Aside from Bayron, Minoza has also been extended an invitation this week.  Already confirmed in the roster are three-time Asian Tour champ Angelo Que, Antonio Lascuna, Mars Pucay and teenager Miguel Tabuena.      The Filipinos will be ranged against some of the best including 2012 Order of Merit champion Thaworn Wiratchat of Thailand and multiple winners Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan and Rikard Karlberg of Sweden.      Defending champion Kieran Pratt of Australia would likewise compete in this event of the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its 10th year of bring world-class tournaments in Asia. - AMD, GMA News