Fuente: © Asian Tour
http://www.asiantour.com/

GOLF: ASIAN TOUR: TITLE HOLDER LIN TO LEAD THE STARS AT BRUNEI OPEN

/noticias.info/ Defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei will lead an array of Asian Tour stars to the Brunei Open next month.

The US$300,000 Asian Tour event will be played from August 21 to 24 and feature many of the region’s best players including former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia and Korean teenage phenom Noh Seung-yul.

The in-form Lin will be accompanied by compatriots Wang Ter-chang, winner of the 2006 Brunei Open, Lu Wen-teh and Lu Wen-chih in the battle for supremacy at the majestic Empire Hotel and Country Club.

However, all eyes will be on Lin who will attempt to become the first repeat winner at the Brunei Open. He has already enjoyed a successful front half of the 2008 Asian Tour season where he triumphed at the inaugural Asian Tour International in Thailand in March for his third career title in as many years.

The Taipei-based player, who comes from a family of talented golfers, also put in top-10 performances at the Philippine Open and BMW Asian Open and is presently ranked seventh on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

“The win (in Thailand) has put me on the right path towards my goals this year which is to continue to play well and win more events,” said Lin. “My putting has not been the best and I know that if I work at it, I can improve even more.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Brunei Open.”

With one top-10 at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open, Wang will be determined to get back into the groove at the par-71 Jack Nicklaus-designed Empire course. In 2006, the veteran defeated Australia’s David Gleeson in a play-off to claim his fourth title on the Asian Tour.

Thaworn is tipped to launch another title charge in Brunei. In June, the 41-year-old claimed an unprecedented 10th title at the Bangkok Airways Open to cement his position as one of Asia’s greatest players.

“I thought I was getting too old to but I guess age is just a number,” he said. “I am looking forward to the rest of the year. My fitness level has improved and I know there is more in store for me. I’ve come to realise that I am not old when I’m playing against younger players. I am still hungry for more wins.”

Inaugural Brunei Open champion Terry Pilkadaris of Australia will also join the elite field for this year’s championship.

Brunei Shell Petroleum will title sponsor the Brunei Open with support from Brunei Tourism, under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, The Empire Hotel and Country Club, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Brunei Darussalam Golf Association together with Cross Creek and Asian Tour partner Srixon.

Profitable Group, an international company which encompasses a range of activities from the highly commercial to the philanthropic, will for the first time to be the presenting sponsor for the Brunei Open 2008.

ENDS.

About the Brunei Open 2008
The Brunei Open is celebrating its fourth edition following its historic launch in 2005. The Championship is organized by Brunei Tourism under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and the Ministry of Youth and Sports and will once again be staged at the award-winning The Empire Hotel and Country Club, Asia’s Ultimate Golf, Spa & Family Beach Resort which is a signature Jack Nicklaus course. The Brunei Open 2008 sponsors are Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd (Title Sponsor); Profitable Group (Presenting Sponsor), The Empire Hotel and Country Club (Host Venue and Official Hotel), Srixon (Official Ball), Cross Creek (Official Apparel), and CityNeon (Official Contractor). The Brunei Open is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, which is the governing body for professional tournament golf in Asia and locally by the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association.

About Brunei Tourism
Brunei Darussalam, a peaceful and wealthy kingdom on the northern shores of Borneo, is known for having one of the most pristine tropical rainforest environments anywhere, as well as for the pomp and opulence of its centuries old monarchy, steeped in ancient Malay traditions. With easy international direct access through its Royal Brunei Airlines carrier and other regional airlines, and with an up-market product and image appealing to discerning travelers, Brunei is an exciting and safe new destination waiting to be discovered. For more information on Brunei please visit www.bruneitourism.travel

About Brunei Shell Petroleum
“Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP), a dynamic, world-class company and one of the biggest energy companies in Asia, have a long standing history in Brunei of more than 75 years and are at the leading edge of energy technology putting the safety and environment at the heart of everything and invests in the people and community of Brunei.

About Profitable Group
The Profitable Group encompasses a range of activities from the highly commercial to the philanthropic and encompasses such diverse sectors as real estate, software and IT based application, security, food produce and the arts world. The Profitable Group exists to increase the wealth of its clients, its employees and its owners, through the provision of strategically selected products that offer exceptional returns along with risk that has been professionally assessed and minimized.

About the 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, ESPN Star Sports (Official Regional TV Broadcaster), Pin High (Official Apparel Partner), Sofitel (Official Hotel) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour.

Ends notas_de_prensa_archivo