Defending champion Mikko Ilonen is hoping to repeat his 2007 Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open success as he continues his “never ending battle” to haul himself up the Official World Golf Ranking.
Ilonen, the first - and as yet only - Finnish golfer to win on The European Tour International Schedule following his maiden success in Indonesia and his second win at the 2007 Scandinavian Masters, is back in Asia to defend his title.
The 28 year old is now hoping to build on the strong foundations he laid last year, starting this week at the beautiful Cengkareng Golf Club in Jakarta.
Ilonen, like so many of his fellow professionals, is keen to improve upon his current position of 73rd on the Official World Golf Ranking.
Specifically, he has set his sights on breaking into the top 50, in order to force his way into the Major Championships and World Golf Championship events.
“My goals before 2007 were all centred around the World Rankings and I reached those,” said Ilonen.
“I wanted to get into the top 150, and then at the end of the year it was the top 100. I actually changed that in August to go higher and higher. Now my goal is the top 50. The results are out there, I just have to go out there and get them.
“It’s a never ending battle. You are always pushing yourself forward. From making the cut at the Challenge Tour events, to winning your Tour card; then making the cut at Tour events, to keeping your card. It’s the same with the World Rankings. You get into the top 100, and then you want the top 50. I’m sure it’s the same when you get to 20 - you want to be 15. It goes on and on.
“Tiger’s a good example. He is always going forward, and he does it faster than anyone. But he obviously sees another World Ranking where he is trying to beat himself. His goals are now to break all the records, and to be the best ever. There is no one else like him.”
Tiger may not be in the field in Indonesia this week, but Ilonen faces a tough battle to defend the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open, with players like Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley joining many of the Asian Tour’s finest at the Cengkareng Golf Club.
They include Thaworn Wiratchant, winner of the 2005 Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open at Cengkareng, as well as 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-Chong.
