Hong Kong, March 3: The international spotlight will fall on Ian Woosnam when the former world number one makes his debut in the TCL Classic this month.
Welshman Woosnam had good reason to celebrate his 47th birthday yesterday when he was confirmed as non-playing captain of the European team that will defend the Ryder Cup in Ireland in 2006.
“To be the captain is such an honour,” said Woosnam, who will be one of the main drawcards in the second edition of the TCL Classic at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Hainan, China, from March 17-20.
Boasting a purse of US$1 million, the TCL Classic is jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.
Joining Woosnam at Yalong Bay will be Colin Montgomerie, winner of the inaugural TCL Classic at Harbour Plaza Golf Club in Dongguan in 2002, and Thomas Bjorn, the first Dane to win Ryder Cup honours.
Scotsman ‘Monty’ holed the winning putt at last year’s Ryder Cup in the United States and was a member of the European Tour’s Tournament Committee that appointed Woosnam to the captain’s role for next year.
While Montgomerie has been a frequent visitor to Asia – winning the Macau Open in 2003 and the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg in 2004 – Woosnam’s Asian forays have been fewer in recent years.
Nevertheless, having won the Hong Kong Open in 1987 and claimed victory in the 1991 US Masters at Augusta National he became a role model for many Asian golfers, who identified with his no-nonsense approach to the game, his easy-going manner and his diminutive stature.
A father-of-three, Woosnam turned professional in 1976 and made three visits to the Qualifying School before establishing himself on the European Tour. He gained the first of his 29 European victories in the Swiss Open in 1982 and topped Europe’s Order of Merit in 1987 and 1990. In all, Woosnam has won 44 tournaments worldwide.
While Woosnam and Monty will lead the European charge for glory in the TCL Classic, local hopes will rest on the broad shoulders of undisputed Chinese number one Zhang Lianwei.
Zhang’s appearance in the TCL Classic is also sure to attract sizeable galleries to Yalong Bay in support of the home hero. With his victory in the 2003 Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg, Zhang became the first Chinese to win a European Tour title before going on to create more history in 2004 as the first Chinese to compete in the US Masters.
T.C.L. Industries Holdings (H.K) Limited (TCL) is one of the best-known conglomerates in China today, specialising in consumer electronics, mobile technology and home appliances. TCL are the first Chinese brand to title sponsor a tournament on the European Tour.
Li Dongsheng, Chairman of TCL, said: “We are proud to present a world-class golf event to the people of China and around the world as well, and we are looking forward to building on the success of the inaugural TCL Classic.
“Sanya, with its beautiful beaches, hotels and golf courses, is an ideal venue for an event of this grand scale and Yalong Bay Golf Club stands out as one of the best courses in the country.”
Keith Waters, the European Tour’s director of International Policy, said: “We are delighted that the TCL Classic will become part of The European Tour International Schedule in 2005, co-sanctioned between ourselves, the Asian Tour and the China Golf Association.
“These are exciting times for golf in China, and in particular the Sanya region of the country. Our members - the players - are looking forward enormously to visiting this wonderful region.
“We thank TCL for their title sponsorship of the TCL Classic. We at the European Tour are very excited that such a prominent blue-chip company is supporting the growth of golf in China. Our thanks also go to the Sanya region for their significant support.
“We would also like to thank promoters, Parallel Media Group, for their endeavours and our friends in the China Golf Association for their collaboration in the first co-sanctioned TCL Classic, which further enhances the strong relationship between the CGA and the Asian and European Tours.”
About TCL
TCL Corporation is one of the most active and fastest growing companies in China. It specializes in electronic and telecommunication consumer goods and was listed in Shenzhen Stock Exchange on 30th of January 2004.
About Parallel Media Group
Parallel Media Group plc ("PMG")(AIM symbol:PAA) is a leading sports marketing, media and management company. PMG specialises in the world of professional golf, owning extensive commercial and broadcast rights throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. PMG's key areas of business are in Asia, particularly in China and South East Asia, and in the Spanish speaking Americas where the Group owns the exclusive
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