Thongchai and Yang to lead Asian charge at Chiang Mai Classic
Asia's first major winner, YE Yang of South Korea, and Asian Tour legend Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand head an elite field at the inaugural US$750,000 Chiang Mai Golf Classic next month. Powered by PTT, the Asian Tour tournament will make its debut at the
Yang, who made history in 2009 when he won the US PGA Championship to become the first Asian male to win a Major, will help launch Chiang Mai’s first international golf event on the Asian Tour.
“We are delighted to announce the confirmation of Yang and Thongchai for the event. They are amongst the finest golfers who have emerged from the Asian Tour and we look forward to seeing them challenge for the title in Chiang Mai,” said vice governor of Chiang Mai Charoenrit Sanguansat.
Yang cut his professional teeth in Asia before finding fame abroad. “I am looking forward to competing in Chiang Mai.
I have heard many wonderful things about the city and the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiang Mai and I can’t wait to get there,” said the Korean, who has 11 professional victories including two on the Asian Tour.
“It will be fun to compete in an Asian Tour event. This is where I started my golf career.
“I am happy to see that the Asian Tour is growing immensely with the addition of new tournaments such as the Chiang Mai Golf Classic and I will always support the Tour for what it has done to my career.”
Thongchai, the only man to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, will spearhead an expected 30-strong local contingent along with reigning Asian Tour No 1 Thaworn Wiratchant.
“The launch of the Chiang Mai Golf Classic is a positive development for professional golf in Thailand and Asia. By playing in big tournaments, Thai golfers will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level and this will shape their golf careers,” said Thongchai.
“When I first came on Tour in 2000, I faced a high level of competition in the tournaments. That helped develop my ability to compete and win tournaments.”
The Chiang Mai Golf Classic will be a 72-hole strokeplay tournament, with the leading 99 Asian Tour players featuring in the elite field alongside 10 players from the world top-200, 20 players from Thailand and 15 sponsor’s invitations.
The Alpine Golf Resort-Chiang Mai, designed by Ron M Garl, is located in a valley between mountain ranges in the heart of the San Kampaeng natural forests and boasts of natural beauty.
