BANGKOK, Thailand, August 14, 2013 (HK Golfer News Wire) - The Thailand Golf Championship will once again see some of the world’s top golfers competing alongside the Asian Tour’s best with significant world ranking points on offer. Inaugurated in 2011, the tournament has already firmly established itself as Thailand’s leading sports event and one of the biggest golf events in the region, attracting worldwide attention from media and spectators.
Currently ranked 15 in the world with 16 professional wins to his name, Schwartzel dominated a world class field to win the 2012 Thailand Golf Championship by an extraordinary 11 shots, carding just a solitary bogey over 72 holes of golf. The South African has a tremendous track record at Amata Spring as prior to his 2012 win he was runner-up behind Lee Westwood in the first ever Thailand Golf Championship in 2011 and he’s hoping to continue his run of results at this year’s tournament:
"I am very much looking forward to coming back to Thailand, which is one of my favourite places anywhere in the world to visit and it’s no coincidence that I tend to do well here. I love the people, the food, the culture, the climate, and of course, the golf. Amata Spring is a magnificent course and the Country Club has something about it that seems to bring out the best in me. I hope I can bring my ‘A’ game to the tournament again this year and defend my title. The Thai public are very knowledgeable about their golf and I look forward to seeing them out on the course in December."
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 sporting destination and regional event hub. In 2012, the tournament was broadcasted live to over 180 countries and 640 million homes.