Ben Leong is no stranger to professional golf.  A regular on the Asian Tour, he made his name outlasting Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee over 72 holes to win the Selangor Masters in 2008.  Now happily married and with two kids, Ben is over the moon that the Malaysian professional tour is sponsored by Toyota and he will compete in the third leg – the Hilux Cup at his home club Sabah GCC, starting this Tuesday.

1.Since your 2008 victory at the Selangor Masters, what’s the closest you’ve gotten to winning another Asian Tour event?
I would say the recent International Series Qatar.  I finished tied for fifth.

2.The Selangor Masters has been your best ever achievement so far.  What do you remember most about that event?
I’ll definitely not forget my first win on the Asian Tour.  Also, I played all four rounds with our Asian legend Thongchai Jaidee and that was awesome.

3.You have been a regular member of the Asian Tour since your 2008 victory.  Who are your closest companions on tour?
It was Artemio Murakami when he was still playing on tour in the late 2000s but recently I’ve been playing and practicing a lot with Singapore veteran Mardan Mamat. 

4.Your father has been a big influence in your rise to become a professional.  Is he still caddying for you and how long did he caddie for you?
He caddied for me for about two years after I turned pro and that was about it. 

5.What is your favourite tournament on the Asian Tour?  Which is your favourite course?
It’s definitely the Hong Kong Golf Club (HK Open).  There is just something about that place that make me feel at ease.

6.You started your golf at the Sabah GCC.  You have been invited to compete there for the Toyota Tour’s Hilux Cup, as a club invitee.  What does this mean for you?
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to my home club for the invite especially to our club captain Mr Ng. It is definitely a great opportunity to get into competition mode. The schedule is kinda quiet on the Asian Tour especially the first half of the year. 

7.What and when was the last professional event that you played at Sabah GCC?  How did you perform?
It was an Asian Development Tour event in 2019.  I finished 2nd.

8.What would you consider the easiest and the most difficult holes at Sabah GCC?
Everyone looks at it differently but I think the toughest is the short par 4 third hole as it features a tough green to hold the ball even with a wedge shot. The easiest for me would be the 16th which has a wide fairway, short approach shot and a flat green.

9.Sabah GCC is considered by many as one of the most challenging courses in Malaysia. How would you recommend a first timer to play at Sabah GCC?
Definitely very tough playing the first time but don’t give up. Play a few more rounds and you will find that it is not that bad.

10.Who is your favourite player(s) of all time?
Tiger Woods. I don’t think I need to elaborate further.

11.What are your thoughts about the Toyota Tour?
It is great that the PGM have a title sponsor for the tour and that’s how it should be. Happy for the players.

12.What would you consider as the strongest department in your game?
Right now I would say my driving. Yes, I’ve been driving pretty well recently.

13.If you were not a golfer, what do you think you would be today?
Probably an architect or interior designer.

14.Golf aside, what other sports do you enjoy?
I like basketball ever since young and still do. I don’t play but I enjoy watching the NBA.

15.Who is your favourite actor/actress? What movie wouldn’t you mind seeing over and over again?
Zach Galifiankis. Hangover 1, 2, 3.

16.What is your favourite food?
I love beef (steak, yakiniku).

17.What did you graduate in at the University of Central Florida?
I attended university for two years and then turned professional. I didn’t get the chance to graduate.

18.If you were the Sports Minister, what steps would you take to better develop the game of golf in Malaysia?
There are so many ways to develop the game but bringing in more international events would definitely help raise the standard here.