Bangkok: Reigning U.S. Open champion Justin Rose will lead a star-studded international field at the 2013 Thailand Golf Championship from December 12 to 15, 2013 at the stunning Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi province on the outskirts of Bangkok.
The 33-year-old Englishman will be joined by man-of-the-moment, Henrik Stenson, who became the first European to win both the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup titles when he triumphed at Sawgrass recently.
With defending champion Charl Schwartzel, 2012 Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson and former world number two Sergio Garcia already confirmed, the 2013 Thailand Golf Championship will have the strongest field ever assembled for the prestigious Asian Tour event.
In June this year, Rose became the first Englishman in 43 years to lift the U.S. Open Championship Trophy when he came from two shots back to beat Americans Phil Mickelson and Jason Day into second place at Merion Golf Club. Currently ranked fifth in the world, Rose is the latest Major champion to play at the Thailand Golf Championship after John Daly, Darren Clarke, Schwartzel and Watson.
The US-based Rose is eagerly anticipating his first visit to the Thailand Golf Championship.
“I’ve had a year to remember with my first Major win and I’m really looking forward to rounding out the season at the Thailand Golf Championship. Thailand is a great place to come and play golf and there is already a great field of international and Asian golfers assembled. It’s going to be very competitive and I have no doubt it will be a great week,” said Rose.
Stenson, who has spent over 100 weeks in the world’s top 10, continued his superb season two weeks ago by claiming both the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup crowns, only the second player after Billy Haas to do so on debut. The Swede’s recent form has been extraordinary; in his last nine events he has won twice on the PGA Tour and had five other top-10 finishes, including second at The Open Championships and third at the U.S. PGA Championship. He is also the current leader of the Race to Dubai.
“I have had a phenomenal season so far, everything just seemed to click all at the same time. It has been a long but satisfying year. I have played a lot in Europe and the US this year, which has been great, but I am definitely looking forward to travelling to Bangkok and playing at the Thailand Golf Championship. It will be a different atmosphere, different scenery and I am excited to be meeting my fans in Asia,” said the powerful Swede.
Khun Sarath Ratanavadi, Executive Director of Amata Spring Country Club, is delighted to gather such a high quality field.
“We are delighted to welcome so many world-class players to Thailand. The Thailand Golf Championship is growing in stature year on year, and has become a must attend event for the global stars of the game as well as the leading Asian players. Having these top players competing alongside the rising talents we have in the region provides a phenomenal learning experience for the young stars of the future.”
With a total prize fund of US$1 million, the prestigious Championship aims to help develop professional golf within the region and promote Thailand as an international sporting destination and regional event hub. In 2012, the tournament was broadcasted live to over 180 countries and 640 million homes.
