Ishikawa to play Thailand Championship

After finishing just outside the top 10 at last year’s Championship, the 22-year-old will return to Thailand to join a crop of thrilling youngster, all ready to challenge the galaxy of international stars who have already confirmed their participation at this year’s tournament. These include defending champion and 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose, Bubba Watson, winner of the 2013 Masters as well as Spain’s Sergio Garcia, American Hunter Mahan and current Race to Dubai leader, Henrik Stenson, who recently claimed both the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup crowns.

 A winner of ten Japan Tour titles already in his career, Ishikawa has had a solid season, making the cut in both the Masters and the US PGA Championship. The Bashful Prince, as he is fondly known, enjoys phenomenal support in Thailand. He is relishing the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s most experienced golfers as well as Asia’s top talent at the Championship:

 “I am looking forward to returning to the Thailand Golf Championship. The field is once again top class and there are three major champions confirmed to play who I respect a lot so I am excited to have the opportunity to play alongside them again. It will be a competitive four days but I believe I am playing well enough right now to be a genuine contender for the title.”

 The two 24-year-old Thais, Arnond Vongvanij and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, are part of the next generation of Thai players making golf headlines around the world. These stars will be doing their utmost to keep the coveted Thailand Golf Championship trophy within the borders. 

 Vongvanij, affectionately known as ‘Bank’, won his first Asian Tour event in 2012, the King’s Cup, and has displayed flashes of brilliance this year with three top ten finishes, his best result coming at the Queen’s Cup where he claimed second place. He had to retire with a back injury at last year’s Thailand Golf Championship and is keen to make up for the disappointment this time round.

 “It was unfortunate last year that I had to withdraw, which I really hate doing, but my back was hurting too much for me to continue. I had great partners too in Watson and Ishikawa and I really thought I was going to put up a good showing at the event. I am looking forward to this year, the line-up is stronger than ever before, I am feeling good, and this will be a great opportunity to see where my game is against some of the hottest players we have in the sport right now.”

 Kiradech, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, has enjoyed a break-through year, claiming his maiden European Tour win with a one-stroke victory over Edoardo Molinari at the Maybank Malaysian Open in March. Finishing tied six last year at Amata Spring, the big hitting Kiradech is hoping to close out his season with a win on home soil: 

 “Being Thai, the Thailand Golf Championship means a lot to me and it is a tournament I would dearly love to win. Our local fans always give us so much support and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to offer them something to cheer about at Amata Spring Country Club. The field is of such a high quality that it will be tough for anyone to win, but hopefully if I bring my A-game, I will have as good a chance as anybody out there.”

 Another exciting young star who will travel to Thailand is 24-year-old Rickie Fowler. The American, who was Bank’s room-mate during their junior careers, recently confirmed his participation at this year’s Thailand Golf Championship and his edgy and larger-than-life character will no doubt make him a crowd favourite at Amata Spring.

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 sports destination and regional event hub. The tournament will be broadcast live to 200 countries and 800 million homes worldwide.