Koreans aim fifth straight Queen Sirikit title

The field also includes the globally dominant Korean women golfers,who have won virtually all significant amateur titles in recent years. Hyo Joo Kim,who spearheaded the Korean team to a win in 2010 in Hamilton,will once again be the main star for the Koreans,who are looking to winning their fifth successive team title. The Koreans have also won the individual title each time since 2006.

The last time any team broke Korean domination was Chinese Taipei,who won in 2005 and 2006,when they had in their ranks,Tseng Ya Ni,who is now one of the world’s top pros.

Though Korea fielded a different team at both Asian Games and World Amateur Championships where they won gold medals,for Queen Sirikit,they have kept Hyo Joo Kim,the R&A Junior individual winner in 2010. She will be joined by Ji Hee Jang and Su Yeon Jang.

Chinese Taipei,who won a bronze in last year’s Asian Games,have sent a different team that includes Yi Chen Liu,Chieh Lin Chiu and Chi Wang.

The event,which was first started in 1979,has been staged in India twice before in 1986 and 1998. India is one of the only three countries to have played in each of the 32 previous editions. The 14 participating countries are: Australia,China,Chinese Taipei,Hong Kong,Indonesia,Japan,Korea,Malaysia,New Zealand,the Philippines,Singapore,Sri Lanka and Thailand apart from hosts India.

Home advantage for India

The entire Indian team consists of Delhi golfers for whom the Delhi Golf Club is their home course. Practicing specially for the Queen Sirikit Cup,the trio has also been part of three-week camps under India’s top coach Nonita Lall Qureshi.

Monga is also coming off a great 2010 where she won five titles and followed it up with winning the All-India Amateur Championship,where Aditi Ashok,the third team member was the finalist.

Vani Kapoor too,is playing here after experiencing the finals at the Nick Faldo Series Asia Grand Final,and the Indians are hopeful that the advantage of knowing the DGC at the back of their hands will come in handy while facing the mighty Korea.