Asian Pro Tour returns to Tianjin after long absence
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-05 06:15

The Tianjin TEDA Open, co-sponsored by Rolls-Royce, is returning to the Asian Professional Golf Tour after a lapse of five years.

The US$200,000 event will be staged at Tianjin Warner International Golf Club from August 19-22 and is the 13th leg of the Asian Tour.

The tournament is backed by the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) as its main sponsor and international luxury automaker Rolls-Royce as the presenting sponsor.

Thailand's star Thammanoon Srirot, who clinched the winning point in Asia's victory over Japan in the inaugural Dynasty Cup last year, will defend the crown he won in 1999 when he edged South Korea's Park No-seok by one stroke.

Dynasty Cup is a Ryder Cup format featuring an Asian Select against the Japanese side.

Park is also entered in the tournament, which pays US$32,300 to the champion.

South Korea's Hur Suk-ho, who has two victories on the Japanese Tour this season and is ranked No 80 in the world, and former Asian No 1 Lin Keng-chi of Chinese Taipei are also entered, as are Liang Wenchong and Li Chao, touted as future stars of China.

The Tianjin TEDA Open marks the start of the second half of the Asian Tour season, which includes a minimum of 21 tournaments offering US$11.3 million in total prize money.

Golf's growing popularity in China is reflected by the return of the Tianjin event and the emergence of new and exciting tournaments, said Asian Tour chief executive Louis Martin.

"The Tianjin TEDA Open will be the third of six tournaments in China planned for the Asian Tour this season. It reinforces the rapid rise in popularity of professional golf in China and augurs well for the game here and also the Asian Tour.

"As the world's most populous nation, it is only a matter of time before China produces more great champions in the mold of Zhang Lianwei, a top class player who has already won numerous titles in Asia and is also the first Chinese player to win a European Tour tournament.

"The initiative and vision taken by TEDA and also the support from Rolls-Royce are truly appreciated by the Asian Tour as sponsorship is the lifeblood of professional sport and will drive the game to greater height in Asia," said Martin.

Chen Wen-guo, general manager of Beijing Sime Winner Motors - Rolls-Royce's agent representative - said the automaker is proud to be associated with the Tianjin TEDA Open.

"The game of golf promotes integrity and excellence with golfers striving for perfection, and these values are very much associated with the Rolls-Royce brand. It is an honour for us to play an active role in bringing a world-class tournament to China and we are confident that Tianjin TEDA Open will be a successful tournament," said Chen.

Tianjin Warner International Golf Club, which was designed by Ronald Fream and opened for play in 1998, promises to deliver playing conditions that will challenge the very best of Asian Tour players.

General manager Ronnie Lee said: "We are thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to play host to a top class event once again. We will do our very best to provide playing conditions that are both challenging and yet enjoyable for the players."

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