Kiradech peaks at the right time ahead of the Masters Tournament

About the European Tour

The European Tour celebrates men’s professional golf on a global stage. In 2017, the European Tour International Schedule features a minimum of 47 tournaments in 26 countries, including eight Rolex Series events, all part of the Race to Dubai. Celebrating the global connectivity of the European Tour and Dubai, the Race to Dubai is a season-long competition to crown the European Tour’s Number One player, an honour which in 2016 went to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson for the second time, and which since 2009 has also been achieved three times by Rory McIlroy, as well as by Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald. Formerly known as the Order of Merit, points are accumulated based on prize money won, with the top 10 ranked players at the end of the season sharing a $5million Race to Dubai bonus pool. Since its formation in 1972, the European Tour has witnessed 26 Members celebrate a total of 52 Major Championship titles between them, enjoyed ten Members attaining the pinnacle of World Number One and has celebrated its diversity as players from 36 different countries have won on the Tour. The European Tour also manages the Challenge Tour, which featured 28 tournaments in 22 countries in 2016, and the Senior Tour, which featured 13 tournaments in nine countries in 2016. It is also the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe, the body which, alongside the PGA of America, administers golf’s greatest team contest, The Ryder Cup. The European Tour broadcasts live coverage of its tournaments to more than 490 million homes in more than 150 countries every week, generating in excess of 2,200 global broadcast hours for each event. It also enjoys the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with Rolex, BMW, Emirates and Titleist as Official Partners.

About MMC Corporation Berhad

MMC Corporation Berhad (MMC) is a leading utilities and infrastructure group with diversified businesses under three divisions, namely ports & logistics, energy & utilities and engineering & construction. Its key businesses under the Ports and Logistics division include the operations of Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, Johor Port Berhad, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, Penang Port Sdn Bhd, Kontena Nasional Berhad and JP Logistics. Internationally, MMC has an associate stake in Red Sea Gateway Terminal Company Limited, a container port terminal within the Jeddah Islamic Port, Saudi Arabia. Under the Energy & Utilities division, MMC is the single largest shareholder of both Malakoff Corporation Berhad and Gas Malaysia Berhad. MMC’s Engineering & Construction division has further established itself in the sector with a leading role as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) and underground works package contractor for the 51km Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project (Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line) and Line 2 project (Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line). Prior to this, MMC has successfully completed the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Tracking Project as well as the innovative Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) motorway, the first-of-its-kind dual-purpose tunnel in the world. MMC continues to make inroads in the construction industry, securing key civil and infrastructure projects in the country namely Langat Centralised Sewerage Treatment Plant, Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant, civil and infrastructure works for RAPID Pengerang Cogeneration Plant. Additionally, MMC has a 20% effective interest in Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd (BHP) which has been appointed as PDP for the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway Project. In other businesses, MMC owns Aliran Ihsan Resources Berhad, a water treatment plant operator and Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, the operator of Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru; a major aviation hub and the main air transportation gateway to Iskandar Malaysia. Additionally, MMC’s Group Property arm manages close to 6,000 acres of industrial developments in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor and Kulim, Kedah, namely Senai Airport City, Tanjung Bin Petrochemical & Maritime Industrial Centre (TBPMIC) and Northern Technocity in Kulim. The Senai Airport City, TBPMIC and NTC (NTC) developments come under the ambit of Group Property’s three operating companies – Senai Airport City Sdn Bhd, Seaport Worldwide Sdn Bhd and Northern Technocity Sdn Bhd respectively

Published on March 26, 2018

Beijing, March 26: The 24th edition of the Volvo China Open, tri-sanctioned by the China Golf Association, European Tour and the Asian Tour, will offer a total prize money of CNY 20 million (approximately US$3,150,000) when it gets underway at the Beijing Huairou Topwin Golf and Country Club from April 26 to 29.

Mr. Zhang Xiaoning, President of China Golf Association, affirmed the new developments for 2018. He said: “As China’s longest-running international professional golf tournament, the Volvo China Open is now entering its 24th year and is well-established as one of China’s and the world’s highest-level golf events as well as being a flagship tournament of the China Golf Association.

"We are happy to see this year’s Volvo China Open return for the third successive year to Topwin Golf and Country Club, where Haotong Li won in 2016 and began his incredible journey on the European Tour. This year we will see many top players from the European and Asian Tours and I wish them all good luck and hope that Chinese players will be able to stand out and bring honor to the country," said Mr. Zhang.

"Special thanks also to Volvo for its long-term contribution to China golf, which played the key role in popularizing the game and improving the level of players in China," he added.

A star-studded line-up will come together for the 2018 Volvo China Open, including defending champion Alex Levy of France, six-time European Tour winner Joost Luiten from the Netherlands and Austrian four-time winner Bernd Wiesberger.

With the Asian Tour also co-sanctioning the event, there will be a strong challenge from Asia, including Thailand’s number one Kiradech Aphibarnrat, as well as current Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings leader and European Tour Race to Dubai ranking number one Shubhankar Sharma of India.

They will join the local elites spearheaded by current World Number 38 Haotong Li and 2015 Volvo China Open winner Ashun Wu for a battle to be played out at the Ian Woosnam-designed course located in the shadow of China’s Great Wall.

With the 24th edition of the Volvo China Open coming to Topwin Golf & Country Club for the third consecutive year, the club ties the record for hosting the Volvo China Open on the most occasions in the Northern China area.

"Having the club selected for a third straight year is not only testimony to the quality of the course and the professionalism of the club, it is also yet another boost for Beijing Huairou district and the further development of its tourism economy," said Mr. Shi Lin, Chairman of Topwin Group.

"Compared with the ‘strong return to Beijing’ in 2016 and ‘revisiting’ in 2017, the ‘third time handshake’ is more significant. In the past two years of the Volvo China Open, top players from around the world have put on a great show for the spectators and TV audiences and enhanced the attention and popularity of the Topwin Club.

"This year, we will benefit from the previous events and again showcase the first-class features and status of Topwin Golf and Country Club, while aiming to provide an even better experience for all players and spectators.”

The 2018 edition of the Volvo China Open will also see the introduction of Mitime Group as the new co-promoter for the event. Mitime Group is wholly owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group which is also the owner of Volvo Cars. Mr. Wang Xinggui, Chairman of Mitime Group said: "We are delighted that Mitime Group can be a part of the Volvo China Open and our subsidiary company Mitime Golf become the co-promoter of the longest-running National Golf Open of China. Our thanks go to the China Golf Association and Volvo for their recognition and support. We will strive to further establish the event as a top-class professional tournament brand and in turn promote the development of golf in China."

Mr. Sven De Smet, Chairman of the Volvo China Open Board added: "As the Volvo China Open enters its 24th year, the continuous investment clearly demonstrates Volvo’s confidence and commitment to China and to golf.

“We are delighted to see that under the guidance of the China Golf Association, Chinese players have made amazing progress in international tournaments. Volvo is very happy to be able to create a platform for Chinese players to step onto the world stage and to help further develop China golf.

"The brand philosophy of Volvo fits perfectly with golf’s concept and it is expected, that through the Volvo China Open, Volvo will have a closer connection with the elite class in China.

"In one month’s time, the event will return back to Beijing Huairou Topwin Golf and Country Club for the third time. We appreciate the gracious assistance from Topwin and we believe the players from the European Tour and Asian Tour will put on another great competition for a global audience,” said Mr. Sven De Smet.

Ends.

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Published on September 25, 2017

Sentosa, Singapore, September 25: South African Louis Oosthuizen, hungry for victory following so many near finishes, will compete in next year’s SMBC Singapore Open, organisers announced today.

The 2010 Open Championship winner, runner-up when he last played in Singapore and with a record haul of second placings in Major championships, is the latest star golfer to confirm for the tournament after it was recently unveiled that reigning US Masters champion Sergio Garcia from Spain will compete.

The US$1 million tournament will be played on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club from January 18 to 21, and will be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. It will form the opening event of the season on both Tours.

In August, Oosthuizen made headlines after finishing joint second in the US PGA Championship – giving him the distinction of finishing runner-up in all four Majors.

He is only the seventh golfer to accomplish this feat, joining Craig Wood, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, and Phil Mickelson.

His record of runner-up finishes are: the 2012 US Masters, where he lost in a sudden death play-off, the 2015 U.S. Open, the 2015 Open Championship where he was defeated in a four-hole aggregate playoff, and this year’s PGA Championship.

Indeed, by his own admission he will be a driven man when he returns to Singapore as when he last played here in 2012 he narrowly lost out in a play-off to Italy’s Matteo Manassero.

Manassero prevailed in a gripping sudden-death play-off after he eagled the third play-off hole (the Serapong’s par-five 18). Oosthuizen had missed a five-foot birdie putt on the same hole to win on second extra-hole.

A year earlier, the South African claimed third place at Sentosa, having just missed out on a play-off by a shot.

“You could say I have some unfinished business in Singapore,” said Oosthuizen.

“I am really looking forward to getting back there and playing in the SMBC Singapore Open. It will be the perfect way for me to start the season, on a great golf course, where I have great memories and where I know I can win.”

The South African is an eight-time winner on the European Tour – including the 2012 Malaysian Open – and in South Africa he has triumphed on seven occasions.

“I am really focused on winning titles and competing week in and week out and in 2018 that hopefully means starting with the SMBC Singapore Open!” added the 34-year-old.

He was recently selected to represent the International team in this month’s Presidents Cup – an event he also played in 2013 and 2015.

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng won last year’s SMBC Singapore Open, in what was the 51st edition of the prestigious tournament.

Ends.

Published on March 25, 2018

March 25: Kiradech Aphibarnrat produced a gutsy display at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play before losing in the quarterfinals to Bubba Watson on Saturday.

The Thai star qualified for the knockout stages after being unbeaten in the group stage. He had to fight tooth-and-nail in the round of 16 where he sank clutch birdies in the final two holes to win 1-up against Charles Howell III in a pulsating match.

Kiradech, the 2013 Asian Tour number one, then faced a dominant Watson in the quarterfinals where he was beaten 5&3.

Both players started strong, combining for seven birdies in the first six holes. That match was all square at the turn but things started to change for Kiradech when he bogeyed 10. Another two bogeys by the Thai followed by two Watson birdies during a four-hole stretch on the back nine proved to be the difference.

Wins on holes 10, 11, 12 and 13 suddenly saw Watson go 4-up against Kiradech . On 15, Watson hit his approach to nine feet where the Thai eventually conceded the hole and the match.

Kiradech will take next week off before heading to Augusta National for the year’s opening major, the Masters Tournament.

Ends.

Published on May 18, 2017

Steve Buzza plays in this weeks Asian Tour Pro Am with Tour Professional Blake Snyder and a couple other former Tour Pros. The Thailand Open has been brought back onto the schedule and is being played 18th-21st May at Thai Country Club.

Published on March 24, 2018

March 24: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat made it three wins in a row by defeating world number three Jon Rahm of Spain 4&3 to set up an epic clash with American Charles Howell III at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play on Friday.

The Thai star has won all three of his group matches and is the only one of seven players in the 64-man field to achieve a 100% record at Austin Country Club.

Kiradech got the upper hand over Rahm early when he went 3-up at the turn over last year’s runner-up.

The 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion then sank a 20-foot birdie putt on 14 to go 4-up and closed out the match at the next hole with a par to qualify for the round of 16 for the first time.

“I just kept the ball in play. To be honest, I don’t think Jon was playing his best game. I know it’s not the best day for him. So, it’s all about friendship here. I’m playing great golf. And a lot of confidence, comfortable with the swing,” said Kiradech, who finished tied fifth at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship earlier this month.

Kiradech proved he was also able to compete under testing conditions, showing grit amid windy conditions.

“When the wind picks up, it’s really tough. I think some greens, they put some water on it, so it makes easier for the players,” said Kiradech, who notched earlier wins over Chez Reavie and Keegan Bradley.

Kiradech is beginning to establish himself as somewhat of a match play expert as he won the 2015 Paul Lawrie Match Play on the European Tour and also the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth last month which used a six-hole match play format on the last day.

In other matches, India’s Shubhankar Sharma lost 1-up to South African Dylan Frittelli, while China’s Haotong Li lost 3 & 2 to Charl Schwartzel and Japan’s Yuta Ikeda halved his match with Zach Johnson.

All of them failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Ends

Published on March 13, 2015

In the first of our golf tips series, reigning Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant shares the secret to his chipping game which many has touted him as one of the best short game players in the world.
By Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha)
There is no substitute to practice if you want to have a solid short game and chip well. I practice a lot to ensure it becomes a routine especially when I have to hit certain shots from near or around the green.
One of the key elements is that you need to imagine or visualize the shot that you want to hit before executing the stroke.
To start with, the ball is positioned on my left heel (picture 1).
I also maintain “soft hands” and ensure that it is always a smooth stroke, from the backswing up till the follow through.
On the backswing (picture 2), I cork my wrist and subsequently ensures that I come down steep into the ball. I also maintain the same swing plane as with my other iron shots (picture 3).
The amount of backswing (picture 4) is of course related to the distance you want the ball to fly or how you want the action of the ball to react, whether it is a bump and run shot or a high shot to the flag. But the key is to always commit to the shot and to finish the swing.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4

Published on March 23, 2018

Austin, United States, March 23: Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat continued his impressive run at the World Golf Championships – Dell Technologies Match Play by defeating American Keegan Bradley 1-up to win his second consecutive match at the Austin Country Club on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Kiradech, Asia’s number one in 2013, won his opening match 3&2 against Chez Reavie of the United States and needs only a win or half in his last group match against Jon Rahm of Spain to qualify for the knock-out rounds for the first time in his career.

Kiradech, who went 2-up against Bradley with two birdies in his opening three holes, battled tooth and nail against Bradley coming down the stretch before he sunk a crucial 12-foot birdie putt on the 18 to remain unbeaten in the Match Play event.

“I’m really proud with the way I putted on the last hole. I was just trying to control myself, stay calm, and play shot by shot all day. It was the first time I played the 17th and 18th holes in the event so I am happy with how things turned out. The last putt took quite a bit of pressure off me.

“I have been playing good golf. I have been really comfortable with my swing for the last couple of months. I think playing in Match Play really suits my game. I won a Match Play event in Perth last month. I just need to keep playing my own game, pay attention and keep calm,” said the big-hitting Thai.

Kiradech won his third Asian Tour title at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth last month and claimed his third victory on the Asian Development Tour in Brunei a fortnight ago. He is currently in 32nd place on the Official World Golf Ranking and is the highest-ranked player from Thailand. He had also won the Paul Lawrie Match Play event in 2015.

“Match play is something you have to go for it. Sometimes you have to back off. It depends. This course is in a fantastic shape and it’s a perfect venue for the match play. You can make a couple of birdies but you can also make a lot of bogeys as well. It just all depends on your game plan,” Kiradech added.

India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who leads the current Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, unfortunately lost his match 3&1 against American Xander Schauffele while American Matt Kucher clinched a 1-up victory over Japan’s Yuta Ikeda.

Kiradech, Sharma and Ikeda will be up against Rahm, Dylan Frittelli and Zach Johnson respectively in the third round of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. The top performer from each group will make it into the round of 16 on Saturday.

Ends.

Published on April 11, 2013

Manila, April 11: Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate Dodge Kemmer of the United States kept his emotions in check when he grabbed the early first round lead with a six-under-par 66 at the Solaire Open on Thursday.
Kemmer returned with a clean scorecard highlighted by six birdies to hold a two-shot advantage over Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit on a tough scoring day at the inaugural US$300,000 Asian Tour event where only seven players finished under-par in the morning session.
Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, a multiple Asian Tour winner and local hope Mars Pucay, who is searching for a first Asian Tour win, posted identical 69s at the challenging Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea, who is currently ranked fifth on the Order of Merit, returned with a 70 to share fifth place with Australia’s Matt Jager while Korean veteran Mo Joong-kyung was a further shot back.
Kemmer, who regained his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School earlier this year after losing his playing rights last season, bounced back into form by reading golf and psychology books.
“I get down on myself pretty easily. I’m trying to stay more level emotionally and that’s easy to do when you are playing well. It will be interesting to see if I can handle my emotions when I hit some adversity this week,” said the 25-year-old.
Pawin Ingkhapradit of Thailand
“I really like this course and I played here last year. I really like the course so it is always easier to go out and play a good round when you are happy and excited to play the course. I knew I had it in me and luckily it worked out for me,” smiled Kemmer.
The young American is playing in his second year on the Asian Tour and he hopes the familiarity of the golf courses will lead him to a first professional victory on the region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its 10^th milestone season.
“I’m loving the Asian Tour more than I did last year, which was already a lot! I’m happy to be playing here. In the first year, you get used to everything. It is totally different from anything in America which I’m used to but I feel a lot more comfortable out here now,” he added.
Pawin continued his solid form by taking advantage of his fondness for the greens which he likened to his home course at the Army Golf Club.
“I share the same home club as Thaworn (Wiratchant) and the greens are the same as Wack Wack,” he smiled. “All my birdie putts were from inside 10 feet. There was very little wind in the morning so that was good. I played here last year but I shot an 84 and 78 in the opening two rounds. Today I shot a 68 which shows how much I’ve improved as a golfer.”
Ends.

Back to News Archive

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Singapore, March 27: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat will head to the Masters Tournament next week in fine form following superb performances on the world stage in the last two months. Since February, the immensely popular Thai has won the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth and accepted an invitation from a prince to play on the […]

Singapore, March 27: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat will head to the Masters Tournament next week in fine form following superb performances on the world stage in the last two months.

“The way I fought to qualify for The Masters is amazing. Now I want to show the world an Asian can surprise and contend in a Major,” said Kiradech.

“Augusta is a golf course which suits my game and I’ve been playing very well so hopefully it will be another week which I will remember,” said Kiradech.

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Kuala Lumpur, September 28: Thomas Bjørn and Arjun Atwal have been announced as respective captains of Team Europe and Team Asia when the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM returns to Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from January 12 to 14, 2018. The third staging of the biennial tournament, which has been […]

The EurAsia Cup will also see MMC Corporation Berhad, Malaysia’s leading utilities and infrastructure Group as one of the sponsors for its 2018 tournament.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA – TEAM EUROPE

The European Team competing in the 2018 EurAsia Cup shall comprise the following European Tour Members:-

(a) The leading ten available European Members from the final 2017 Race to Dubai Rankings.

(b) The Captain, Thomas Bjørn, will choose the remaining two European Members in the week commencing Monday 20 November 2017.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA – TEAM ASIA

The Asian Team competing in the 2018 EurAsia Cup shall comprise the following Asian Tour Members:-

(a) Top four available players from the Asian Tour Order of Merit as at 27 November.

(b) Top four available players from the Official World Golf Rankings as at 27 November.

About DRB-HICOM

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), FENIX XCell (Official Apparel Supplier), Titleist (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

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Beijing, March 26: The 24th edition of the Volvo China Open, tri-sanctioned by the China Golf Association, European Tour and the Asian Tour, will offer a total prize money of CNY 20 million (approximately US$3,150,000) when it gets underway at the Beijing Huairou Topwin Golf and Country Club from April 26 to 29. Mr. Zhang […]

"Special thanks also to Volvo for its long-term contribution to China golf, which played the key role in popularizing the game and improving the level of players in China," he added.

"The brand philosophy of Volvo fits perfectly with golf’s concept and it is expected, that through the Volvo China Open, Volvo will have a closer connection with the elite class in China.

Ends.

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