The Thailand Golf Championship, to be held December 12–15 at Amata Spring Country Club, will gather some of the world’s best players.
The Thailand Golf Championship, a prestigious tournament that is part of the wider Asian Tour founded in 1995, was inaugurated in 2011. December 12–15, 2013, its third version will take place at Amata Spring Country Club, Chonburi, just outside of Bangkok. The tournament will bring some of the world’s best players to its putting greens.
The tournament has established itself as one Asia’s most prominent professional golf tournaments, and it has become a key player in developing the sport both in Thailand and across Asia, offering the best domestic players the unique opportunity to compete against international stars.
After the trophy was taken by Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) in 2012, and Lee Westwood (U.K.) in 2011, the championship has also attracted some of the world’s best golfers this year. This comes as no surprise when, besides enjoying Thailand’s wonders and hospitality, they are set to get worldwide recognition through a tournament will be broadcast live to 200 countries and 800 million homes worldwide. The tournament offers a total prize of USD 1 million.
Amata Spring Country Club, a private club surrounded by luscious scenery, was voted by its players as the number one course on the Asian Tour in 2011 and 2012. It features a world-famous island green on the 17th hole that can only be reached by boat. With enhancements to the course, including the lengthening of a few holes and numerous additions of bunkers, the third edition of the Thailand Golf Championship will be the most challenging and competitive yet.
Daily tickets are available from THB 300 to THB 500, and at THB 800 for four-day package tickets.
More info: www.thailandgolfchampionship.com (tournament), www.thaiticketmajor.com (tickets)
The players
1. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)
Champion of TGC 2012 with an 11-stroke margin over runners-up Thitiphun Chuayprakong and former Masters champion Bubba Watson.
2. Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
First time at TGC. He recently became the first man ever to win both the Race to Dubai and the FedEx Cup.
3. Ryo Ishikawa (Japan)
He is returning to the championship after finishing in 2012 at 9 under par. In 2012 he recorded the lowest-ever final round in a major international golf tour.
4. Bubba Watson (USA)
Second place on TGC 2012, and number 4 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Hunter Mahan (USA)
Second time in TGC after a T22 finish on 2012. He has won eight tournaments on the tour, including two World Golf Championships in 2010 and 2012.
Rickie Fowler (USA)
First time at TGC. Since turning pro in 2009, he has won two professional tournaments, both of which saw Rory McIlroy finish in second place.
Justin Rose (England)
First time at TGC. Winner of the U.S. Open, he reached a career-high ranking of 3rd in the world this year.
