Hua Hin, Thailand: Sponsors of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin hailed the immense success of the US$1 million Asian Tour event which was won by home favourite Prayad Marksaeng on Sunday.

The final day produced all the drama and excitement associated with a world-class golf tournament and it proved to be a week to savour for all, especially the home crowd who witnessed local hero Prayad completing a Royal double.

Suwat Liptapanlop, Chairman of the Tournament Organising Committee, played a big role in the success of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin as he lauded the strong synergy between the sponsors and the Asian Tour.

“I think this is a very great event. It’s the first time the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin is held here at Black Mountain Golf Club and Prayad’s victory was especially sweet and is a really a good occasion for Thai people,” said Suwat.

He believes the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin can help promote tourism in the coastal town of Hua Hin, which is a popular destination amongst Scandinavian tourists.

“It was a very exciting week and we hope we can stage an even bigger event next year. I hope this tournament will promote tourism in Thailand. This week’s event has exceeded my expectations. There were lots of people and everything was very well organised,” Suwat added.

Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Executive Vice President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co.,Ltd, one of the leading automotive companies in Thailand, said his organisation was proud to be associated with the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin which has grown from strength-to-strength since it joined the Asian Tour’s Schedule in 2009.

From an initial prize fund of US$300,000, the King’s Cup increased its prize money to US$500,000 in 2012 and doubled the amount as the Asian Tour’s 2013 season finale.

“This is the first year the King's Cup moved to Hua Hin. Every Thai knows that Hua Hin has a palace where the King currently stays. We find this is a great occasion and we are honoured and proud to be a part of the King's Cup.

“We are sponsors for the ladies professional golf tournament, the Honda LPGA. Hence, we wanted to support a men’s golf tournament in Thailand. We hope the King's Cup Golf Hua Hin will provide opportunities for Thai male golfers to show their potential against leading international players from various countries across Asia,” said Pitak.

Rasell Daiphontunya, Director of Professional Sports and Boxing, Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), also praised the success of the event which he believes will help grow the game of golf in Thailand and across the region.


“The King's Cup will provide another opportunity to develop golf in Thailand, giving local golfers the chance to play against the best players from the Asian Tour. This event is also an honour to the King of Thailand and helps to promote tourism in Hua Hin and Thailand through various media channels,” he said.

“Through our involvement with the Asian Tour, we believe the staging of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin will further develop professional golf in Thailand. It will also maintain our country’s proud tradition of creating great champions such as Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Boonchu Ruangkit, Prayad Marksaeng and Kiradech Aphibarnrat on the Asian Tour.

“The future of golf in Thailand is bright. We can expect to see many more great champions from Thailand and hopefully one of them goes on to win a Major or a medal at the Olympic Games,” added Rasell.