PGA Golf Star Chopra Set for Debut Appearance at Thailand Open
The Thailand Open is making a return to the Asian Tour schedule next month and has received a double boost with Singha Corporation becoming the title sponsor and PGA Tour star Daniel Chopra taking part in the tournament.
Daniel Chopra of Sweden won his second PGA Tour title at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Kapalua, Hawaii last year. The tournament has not taken place since 2005 due to a lack of sponsorship but this year the US$500,000 competition will be held at Laguna Phuket Golf Club from March 5-8.
Chopra, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, will make his debut in the prestigious tournament. He won the Ginn sur Mer Classic in 2007 and last year's season opening Mercedes-Benz Championship.
The 35-year-old Swede was tied 36th at last year's US Open which was won by Tiger Woods.
The Thailand Open, which was launched in 1965, was the country's most prestigious golf tournament before being halted four years ago due to financial problems.
Well-known winners include Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004), Suthep Meesawat (1991), Australians David Graham (1970) and Graham Marsh (1973) and New Zealander Richard Lee (2005).
"To be able to announce that Singha Corporation will title sponsor the Thailand Open is a historic day for us," said Chutchai Wiratyosin, Marketing Director, Singha Corporation.
"We are renowned for being at the front of golf sponsorship in Thailand and to title sponsor our national Open gives us a sense of completion."It is a great shame that the Thailand Open has not been played for a while but we are now back on track and Singha Corporation intend to work hard to make this the finest Thailand Open."
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han added: "The Thailand Open has been sorely missed and so we welcome it back with open arms. Our players are eagerly looking forward to teeing off at Laguna Phuket."
Thailand Golf Association (TGA) president Rungsrid Luxitanond was excited to have Singha Corporation as title sponsor and said the tournament would be a success.
"Everyone in the game can now breathe a huge sigh of relief that the Thailand Open is about to tee off again, not least the many great Thai players who have really missed its presence," said Rungsrid.
Other sponsors include the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the PTT.
Tim Haddon, director of golf at Laguna Resorts & Hotels, said the tournament would help boost the province's tourism industry.
Voted in the top 10 for Best Golf Resort in Asia, Best Clubhouse in Asia and Best Golf Course in Thailand by readers of Asian Golf Monthly magazine, Laguna Phuket Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-70 and 6,943 -yard course, designed by Max Wexler and David Abell.
The most challenging holes are in the par four ninth and the par five, 612-yard 17th.
Meanwhile, the Asian Tour kicks off its 2009 season tomorrow with the US$300,000 Asian Tour International at the Suwan Golf and Country Club in Nakhon Pathom.
The tournament features title-holder Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan, Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng and Singapore's Lam Chih Bing, winner of the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia.
Source - The Bangkok Post