Baek hunting maiden win in Myanmar
South Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun says he has banished last year's problems with his driver and is ready to claim a maiden Asian Tour title at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open which starts on Thursday.
Baek is among several highly-rated young guns vying for glory at the $300 000 event, including Thailand's Panuphol Pittayarat, Gaganjeet Bhullar of India and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines.
Speaking ahead of the curtain-raising tour event, Baek recalled last year's debilitating problem, saying he shivered every time he used the driver.
"I didn't use a single driver for nine tournaments. I just used three wood to tee off. I couldn't hit using a driver," the 21-year-old explained.
"Every time I picked up the driver I shivered. My drives were going from left to right and it gradually got worst until I couldn't hit a single drive."
But after two months of intense training, Baek is ready to challenge for honours in Myanmar as he looks to go one better than the second place he took at the tour's Indian Open in 2010.
To do so he will have to fend off a strong field including 19-year-old Thai sensation Panuphol, nicknamed 'Coconut', who is hoping to shine after recovering from a back injury at the season-ending Thailand Golf Championship.
"I was playing too many tournaments but didn't really take care of my body," he said.
"I'm okay now but not 100 per cent," added Panuphol, who turned professional at the age of 14.
Defending champion Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Thais Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Boonchu Ruangkit, Filipino Frankie Minoza and Rick Kulacz of Australia, are also in the 144-strong field at the Royal Mingalardon Golf & Country Club event.