PRESS RELEASE
THAI STARS THONGCHAI AND KIRADECH EYE VICTORY AT VENETIAN MACAO OPEN
Macao, October 2: In-form Thai stars Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, both former Asian Tour number ones, will be aiming to add the Venetian Macao Open onto their growing list of victories after signing up for the prestigious US$1 million tournament from October 15 to 18.
Veteran Thongchai, the only man to win three Order of Merit titles in Asia, will arrive at the Macau Golf and Country Club in top form following his latest win at the Porsche European Open last week, which was his third title on European soil.
The 45-year-old will feature in his first Presidents Cup for the International Team against the United States in Korea next week before heading to Macao in his bid to land a 14th career title on the Asian Tour.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the Venetian Macao Open which is always a great tournament to compete on the Asian Tour,” said Thongchai.
“We get to play on a challenging course and stay in a nice resort at The Venetian Macao. My record at the Macau Golf and Country Club is pretty good over the past three years with two top-10s and one top-20, but hopefully this time, I will be able to challenge for the title.”
Prior to his latest triumph in Germany, Thognchai, who is a former paratrooper, enjoyed two runner-up finishes earlier this year and has since risen to 32nd spot on the Official World Golf Ranking, matching his previous career highest ranking.
“My 2015 season has been pretty solid and qualifying for the Presidents Cup team is also a key highlight for me. Although I’ve won tournaments in Europe over the past few years, it’s actually been five years since I last won on the Asian Tour and I hope to break that drought. Winning the Venetian Macao Open will be a very nice addition to all my victories in Asia,” said Thongchai.
Fan favourite Kiradech, who is well known for his big-hitting and aggressive game, has won twice on the European Tour this season in China and Scotland, and is looking forward to a third visit to the Venetian Macao Open.
“This will only be my third visit to the Venetian Macao Open but it’s certainly one of the events which I look forward to competing. The players are looked after so well by the title sponsor and Macao is also a great city to visit as there are so many things to do away from golf,” said the 26- year-old.
“It has been a great season so far for me with two wins and if I can continue to play my best golf in Macao, I know I will be able to contend when I get there. It is also important for me to finish the year strongly on the Asian Tour as I want to break into the world’s top-50 by the end of the season and get myself into the Majors and World Golf Championships events,” added Kiradech, who is presently ranked 63rd in the world.
Other stars who have committed to the Venetian Macao Open include title holder and current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Anirban Lahiri of India, former champion Scott Hend of Australia and Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa.
The prestigious tournament, into its 17th edition, will see its total prize fund increase for a third consecutive year, taking it to the all-important US$1 million mark.
Since its inauguration in 1998, many other world class golfers have graced the fairways of Macau Golf & Country Club, including Lee Westwood (winner in 1999), Colin Montgomerie (winner in 2003), Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara .
The Venetian Macao Open is organised by the Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government and the Golf Association of Macau. Sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, The Venetian® Macao is supporting the iconic event as title sponsor for the fourth successive year.
For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit: www.thevenetianmacaoopen.com.
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For further information, please contact: Kitty Wu brandRapport E: [email protected] M: +852 9132 4588
About Macao Sport Development Board of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government Macao Sport Development Board, under the capacity of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, is a public organization of administration autonomy. The organization is responsible for the implementation of sport strategy and policy formulated by the Macao SAR Government. Its objective is to stimulate, encourage, and promote all kind of sports in Macao, also to create an essential condition for sport development.
For the development of competitive sports and ‘Sport for all’, the Macao Sport Development Board organizes various high level international sport competitions as well as recreational classes and thematic ‘Sport for all’ activities each year, in an endeavor to promote the international status of Macao, reinforce communication and co-operation with other countries and cites, enhance citizens’ quality of life and arouse their interest in sport, so as to accelerate and facilitate the enhancement of the level of sport in Macao.
For more information, please visit www.sport.gov.mo
About Golf Association of Macau Founded in 2000, the Golf Association of Macao is a non-profit organization, with the mission to promote, support and ensure the quality, traditions and development of the game of golf in Macao. With the mission to encourage and promote golf in Macao, it provides coaching, training and selection of the Macao teams for participation in international events at all levels, and promotes and runs appropriate international and domestic golfing events in Macao, which helps to represent Macao in the golfing world and be a member of appropriate regional and world governing bodies.
About The Venetian® Macao Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao is Macao's first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30
renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 350 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.
For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.
About Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao – Sands China’s Integrated Resort City Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao has transformed a day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.
Pulsating with life, both night and day, Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with more than 650 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.5 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, transportation offerings and well over 120 dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and lounges. Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao is a must-go destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.
Comprised of The Venetian® Macao; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach. And coming in 2016... the crowning achievement of Sheldon G. Adelson’s vision of the Cotai Strip… The Parisian Macao.
Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao… Be at the Centre of It All! For more information, please visit http://en.sandsresortsmacao.com.
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 FENIX Golf (Official Apparel Supplier), Fuji Xerox (Official Office Solutions Partner), Hilton Worldwide (Official Hotel Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Sponsor), Oakley (Official Eyewear and Footwear Sponsor), Srixon (Official Ball), Titleist (Official Web Partner) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). Sentosa, Singapore is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur. Also, visit us at www.asiantour.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiangolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour, and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf
About IMG IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 25 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages thousands of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment agency, to form WME | IMG.