Indonesia's best golf hopeful, Rory Hie Hidayat, says he is fired up about winning a domestic challenge, after arriving home from his European sojourn.
The country's rising star will lead a pack of local pro golfers to challenge touring rivals at the Indonesia President Invitational golf tournament at the Damai Indah Golf Course in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang.
The tournament, which features 153 players, tees off Thursday.
"I'm very proud to be playing at home," Rory said Wednesday at a press conference ahead of the four-day tournament.
"My expectations are pretty high because I think I know this course more than the other players do.
"I have also learnt a lot from playing in Europe over the past two months," added Rory, who reached the top 60 in Sweden during his European tour.
The Indonesian event has prompted Rory to take a break from the European tour.
"His European tour is not over yet, but he's very eager to play in his home country," said father Tommy Hidayat. "He's back just to play here."
Tommy, who often serves as a caddie for his son, said Rory was still recovering from gastroenteritis and a mild fever.
"It might be due to the food; He arrived only last week," he said.
"Rory has insisted on playing, although his doctor advised him to get four days of rest."
Despite not being at peak fitness, Rory, Tommy went on, would be playing to win.
Rory turned pro last October after standing out as one of the top 10 amateurs in the world.
He qualified for the European Challenge Tour after finishing in the top 70 at last year's Qualifying School in Jerez and Catalunya, Spain.
However, his European debut has not gone smoothly, after he suffered a corneal infection when he arrived in Turin, Italy, for the opening event.
"He had to be hospitalized for a week," said Tommy, who accompanied his son on the tour.
The 20-year-old golfer has played in three of 27 tournaments on the European Tour. He has also had to share his playing time with tournaments on the Asian Tour.
The US$400,000 Indonesia President Invitational tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI), marks the start of the second half of the Asian Tour's 2009 season, after a six-week break.
Defending champion Scott Hend of Australia, who will make the Indonesian event his first tournament in eight weeks after the Maekyung Open in Seoul, said, "I'm not usually a very good starter in the first week.
"I love to win, but I'm not standing here saying I'm going to win. Obviously, I'll try my best and see what happens," said the 35-year-old.
"I haven't taken notice of how anyone's playing in the past half year of the Asian Tour ... There are a lot of really good young players today on the Asian Tour. There might be a 20- or 21-year-old player winning this tournament."
