Major winners Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer will join defending champion Sergio Garcia in a star-studded field for the eagerly anticipated fourth edition of the 2014 Thailand Golf Championship, which will be staged once again at Amata Spring Country Club on December 11-14.
In addition, two of Europe’s other Ryder Cup heroes – Lee Westwood, who captured the Thailand Golf Championship in 2011, and Victor Dubuisson – have committed to play in the Asian Tour’s US$1 million flagship tournament, as has South African legend Ernie Els, who will be making his first appearance in the event.
Bubba Watson of the USA will be one of the many big names appearing at the Dec. 11-14 tournament. (Photo/Thailand Golf Championship)
Adding to the excitement of a tournament that has provided so much drama in its first three years, the Thailand Golf Championship has been confirmed as part of The Open Qualifying Series (OQS), with four places at the 2015 Open, to be held at St Andrews, up for grabs.
With a little under two months to go before the action gets underway at magnificent Amata Spring, which has been voted as the best course on the Asian Tour for three consecutive years, Spain’s Garcia said he can’t wait to return to the Land of Smiles.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia will be returning to Thailand to defend his title. (Photo/Thailand Golf Championship)
“I have been coming to the Thailand Golf Championship every year and I love it, but last time was especially special as it gave me my first win of the season,” said the world number three, who made a hole-in-one on his way to a four-shot win in 2013. “The event always attracts a really high-quality field and this year it is as strong as ever, so I’ll need to be at my best if I want to retain my title. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
In Watson and Kaymer, the Spaniard faces two players who have this season recorded their second major championship victories. In April, 35-year-old Watson put on a brilliant display of ball-striking to collect his second Green Jacket for winning the Masters Tournament at famed Augusta National Golf Club, while Kaymer powered his way to a convincing first US Open title at Pinehurst’s historic No. 2 course.
“Sergio played great last year and I’m sure all the European guys will be feeling good after their win at the Ryder Cup, but Amata Spring is a course I really enjoy playing and I know I can perform well on. There’s no doubt: it’s going to be another great week in Thailand,” declared Watson, whose best result at the Thailand Golf Championship came in 2012 when he finished in a tie for second behind runaway winner Charl Schwartzel.
Tickets for spectators cost 300 baht per day for Dec. 11 and 12, 400 baht on Dec. 13 and 500 baht on Dec. 14. A 4-day ticket package costs 800 baht. Entrance is free for spectators aged 60 or more and children under 16 years (present ID card or passport at venue.) Tickets can be purchased at www.thaiticketmajor.com.
