Shenzhen, February 04, 2005:
The TCL Classic returns to the international golf scene bigger and better than ever.
The TCL Classic Sanya 2005, to be staged at Yalong Bay Golf Club on the tropical island of Hainan from 17th to 20th of March, marks its return with the historic announcement of confirmation of the PGA European Tour’s sanction to add to that of the Asian Tour and the CGA.
Today’s announcement by the electronics and mobile phone giant makes history as TCL becomes the first ever Chinese brand to title sponsor a tournament on the PGA European Tour.
To add further weight to its claim as one of the region’s premier events, three of the PGA European Tour’s biggest names, defending champion Colin Montgomerie, US Masters winner Ian Woosnam and Denmark’s Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn, together with China’s national hero Zhang Liang-wei have all confirmed their participation.
Li Dongsheng, Chairman of TCL said, “By arming up with Thomson and Alcatel, TCL has strong presence in European and North America now. We realize golf is becoming more prevalent in North America and European markets. We hope, through this exciting event, more and more people begin to be aware of TCL brand. At the same time, we also 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.”
Boasting a prize purse of 1 million USD, and an elite field made up of top players from the Asian and European Tours, the TCL Classic is poised to bring the world’s attention back to the paradise resort of Sanya since it hosted the Miss World Pageant last year.
Mr Yang, Director General of Sanya’s Culture and Sports Bureau expressed his delight at the announcement and welcomed TCL and its flagship event. “The City of Sanya welcomes a world class golf event to its doorstep and the people of Sanya are ready to receive all golfers and fans with the warmest and most sincere hospitality.”
Montgomerie, who won a record seven successive Volvo European Order of Merit titles between 1993 and 1999, battled tooth and nail with Thai Ace Thongchai Jaidee in the final round of the TCL Classic 2002 before winning his first ever Asian tournament in 2002.
In 2002 the US$1million prize fund was the biggest ever in China, and since then TCL has paved the way for more international golf events to develop in the PRC where popularity of the game is growing at a phenomenal rate.
“Monty”, as the Scotsman is affectionately known, is one of the greatest golfers ever to play the game. Remarkably consistent, since 1992 he has won at least one tournament every year, and has amassed a total of 37 titles around the world in an illustrious career.
“The TCL Classic 2002 was my first ever win in Asia and meant a great deal to me. I am very much looking forward to defending my title in an event that holds such fond memories” said Montgomerie.
Joining the Scot on the sunny island of Hainan will be another European star – Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn. One of the European Tour’s most respected players, he has 7 European Tour wins to his name and was the first Danish golfer to play in the Ryder Cup team. Bjorn has been in excellent form recently and is currently placed third in the European Tour Order of Merit, a position he will be seriously looking to improve on.
Ian Woosnam is one of Britain's most successful golfers who enjoys legendary status around the world. “Woosie” was the first player to win US$1million dollars prize money in a single year, and in 1991 he won the US Masters and became the world's number one golfer, a position he was to hold for a then record 51 weeks. A tenacious performer, but with an effervescent personality, he is undoudtedly one of the country's most popular golfers.
Zhang Liang-wei became the first Chinese golfer to win a European Tour event, when he overcame hot favourite Ernie Els on the final hole to win the Caltex Singapore Masters in 2003. The following year he made history once more as the first Chinese player to play in the US Masters. Zhang rightly enjoys iconic status in Asia and especially his home country of China, and he will be leading the local charge and looking to add the TCL Classic to his impressive list of Asian Championships which includes the Volvo China Open, the Macau Open and the Caltex Masters.
The TCL Classic Sanya 2005 is set to become one of the region’s leading professional golf tournaments and will entertain a global television audience in March this year with world class golf at one of Asia’s most beautiful destinations.
The TCL Classic Sanya 2005 will be held at Yalong Bay Golf Club, Sanya, Hainan Island from 17th – 20th March.
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Steven Chung
Parallel Media Group
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E-mail : s.chung@parallelmediagroup.com
Website : www.parallelmediagroup.com
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Mr. Samson Siu (Hong Kong)
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Mary Yu
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