A Singaporean duo will be out to redeem themselves in the Fortis International Challenge next week in Kota Permai.

The combination of Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing from the Lion City were heavily tipped to qualify for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club last year but tripped up at the finish line and missed the boat by one stroke.

With the qualifying event being played at Kota Permai once again from September 18 to 21, they know that it will be another opportunity to secure their fourth World Cup appearance.

“It was quite disappointing last year,” admitted Lam, who missed a four-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole to force a play-off for the final ticket.

“That’s in the past now. I have a good partnership with Mardan who is a very steady and dependable player. We know each other’s game so well because we’ve partnered in many team events previously. We will try and motivate each other on the golf course. We will ride on our proven track record.”

Indeed, Lam and Mardan, who is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, have a great record as a pair. They won two World Cup qualifiers in Malaysia in 2005 an 2006 and were also successful in qualifying in 2002.

Lam, who played in his second straight British Open in July and enjoyed a recent top-10 finish in Indonesia, said he would need to get his putting act right to challenge for one of the three World Cup tickets available at Kota Permai next week.

For a long time now, putting has been his Achilles heel but his recent run of good form has given the big-hitting Lam plenty to look forward to when he resumes his partnership with Mardan.

“The key at Kota Permai is putting. We have to keep the scores low there in all four rounds if we want to secure our places for the World Cup,” said Lam.

“We can’t afford to have one slow round. I always enjoy returning to Kota Permai as I qualified there before in 2005 and I hope to relive the memories of the past to make it to our fourth appearance to the World Cup.

“My form is alright, but it could be better though. I’ve struggled over the past few weeks with my putting but I hope my game will turn around in time for the qualifier,” said Lam.

The Fortis International Challenge will now see a total of 19 teams, including Malaysia’s Iain Steel and Danny Chia, in action following the inclusion of Brunei and Swaziland.

The teams will play fourball better ball in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and final rounds, which is the same format as the World Cup in China from November 27 to 30.

The top three teams at Kota Permai will qualify for the World Cup.