Bangkok, December 23: The Asian Tour International will have the honour of being the curtain-raiser of the 2010 Asian Tour Schedule when the third edition returns from February 4-7, 2010.
The US$300,000 full field Asian Tour tournament will be played at the highly rated Suwan Country Club where the race to win the coveted 2010 Order of Merit will begin in earnest.
It promises to be an exciting start to the new Asian Tour season which will include a minimum of 28 tournaments with nearly US$40 million on offer to the region’s top stars over the next 12 months.
Players heading to Bangkok for the Asian Tour International will also be treated to a new challenge at Suwan Country Club as the management has put in place new greens which were built immediately after the 2009 edition. It is said that the new greens are now one of the best in Bangkok.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han reckons the Asian Tour International will mark an exciting start to 2010 where a slew of Asian Tour stars, including the leading players from Thailand, are expected to converge at Suwan Country Club, which is located 45 minutes from Bangkok city.
“Thailand has always been a strong supporter of the Asian Tour and it is through our partnership with the golf associations in Thailand that we are able to grow the game here. Our sponsors have played a vital role in ensuring the Asian Tour International continues to feature on our Schedule and we are confident this event will grow from strength-to-strength,” said Han.
He added the success of Thai golfers, which has seen the likes of Thongchai Jaidee lifting a record three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles plus 12 victories, and Thaworn Wiratchant in winning 11 tournaments, have been due largely to their exposure on the Asian Tour.
“We were proud and delighted that Thongchai continues to show how great a golfer he is. By lifting an unprecedented third Order of Merit crown in 2009, it is a testament that the Asian Tour, together with our partners and sponsors, are creating a platform for our players to harness their skill to become world-class performers on the international stage,” said Han.
In 2009, Chapchai Nirat and Chinnarat Phadungsil joined Thongchai and Thaworn a winners on the Asian Tour and they are expected to feature in the season-opening Asian Tour International.
Han believes the standard of golf in Thailand will grow stronger. “The Thai players have always been an integral part of the Tour. They are always featuring prominently on leaderboards. It’s terrific to see and events like the Asian Tour International will give Thai players the opportunity to sparkle on the Asian Tour stage,” said Han.
Earlier this year, South African James Kamte, fresh from earning a Tour card from Qualifying School, stunned the field at Suwan to win the Asian Tour International.
Han said the Asian Tour International will be a great opportunity for graduates from Qualifying School, which will be played in mid-January, to stamp their mark early in the season.
“James made full use of his opportunity from Qualifying School to win his first title on the Asian Tour and I am sure the graduates from the 2010 School will come out in full-force in their search for early success in Asia,” said Han.
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include ESPN Star Sports (Official Regional TV Broadcaster), Pin High (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour.