SHENZHEN, China – Jan. 11, 2005 – Thailand's golden oldie Boonchu Ruangkit wants to round off one of the best spells in his outstanding career by helping Asia to a second successive triumph over their Japanese counterparts in the Visa Dynasty Cup in April.

The 48-year-old veteran had a brilliant 2004 season during which he became the oldest winner on the Asian Tour, with victory in the Thailand Open, and earned a career-high US$220,293 in prize money.

Boonchu missed out on Asia's resounding nine-point victory over Japan in 2003, dubbed the "Massacre at Mission Hills", and is looking forward to the second Ryder Cup-style showdown from April 15-17, 2005.

The Visa Dynasty Cup will again be played over the magnificent World Cup course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.

"I am surprised but honored to be able to represent Asia in the Dynasty Cup," said Boonchu, who is second behind compatriot and Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee in the Asian Team ranking for the Visa Dynasty Cup.

"I did not play in 2003 but heard a lot about the victory from the Thai players who were in the team. It was a great win over Japan and it helped boost the Asian Tour.

"I am sure Japan will want revenge but Asia will again have a strong team. I am not as young as the other players (who will be on the team) but will do my best to help Asia to another victory," added the Thai, who shot 256 birdies, the highest number on the Asian Tour last season.

With just three counting tournaments left before the eight automatic picks in Asia's 12-man team are confirmed, Thongchai and Boonchu head an impressive line-up which also includes countrymen Thaworn Wiratchant, ranked third, and Prayad Marksaeng (fifth).

Korea's Charlie Wi, a six-time victor on the Asian Tour who won his card for the US PGA Tour in December, is placed fourth while compatriot Mo Joong-kyung, joint 15th in the season-opening Okinawa Open, is in sixth spot.

Mardan Mamat, poised to become the first Singaporean to play in the Visa Dynasty Cup, and former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa of India, winner of the Asian Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia last month, currently fill the last two qualifying spots.

Thongchai, Boonchu, Thaworn, Wi, Mamat and Randhawa all entered the winner's circle during 2004 while Thongchai, Thaworn, Wi, Randhawa and Prayad were in the winning Dynasty Cup team in 2003.

The Asian team are due to be finalised after the Myanmar Open from February 24-27 giving Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot, the winner of last season's Tianjin TEDA Open who is currently in ninth place, and Amandeep Johl, in 10th spot, three tournaments to force their way into the side.

Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Min-nan will again lead the Asian team and he has four captain's picks. Chinese stars Zhang Lian-wei, who competed in the Masters last year, and Liang Wen-chong, who played most of his golf on the Japan Tour last season finishing 52nd in the Order of Merit, are both in the running to tee it up on home soil.

"The team is shaping up to be extremely strong with six of the players in the top eight having won last season," said the 64-year-old Hsieh, who showed he can still play a bit himself by making the cut in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and Taiwan Open.

"There are four captain's picks and I will be looking out to see which players perform well in the early season events. I am sure the team will be as strong if not stronger than in 2003. The team played hard and well to win last time and there is no reason that they cannot achieve victory again.

"I viewed the win as a huge success story for Asia rather than a failure for Japan. But I am certain Japan will be seeking revenge which will make for an engrossing encounter."

Shigeki Maruyama, the world number 28 and winner of two US PGA Tour titles, has expressed a desire to compete in the Visa Dynasty Cup and has called on other leading Japanese players to rally around the flag.

The Japanese team is expected to name their team within the next couple of weeks and the ranking is currently headed by Shingo Katayama, who like Maruyama missed the 2003 encounter.

The Dynasty Cup, title sponsored by Visa for the first time, will be played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed World Cup course at Mission Hills Golf Club, which is the largest golf complex in the world with ten 18-hole layouts open for play.

Mission Hills is one of the premier golf destinations in the region having hosted numerous major events, including the 1995 World Cup, Tiger Wood's first China visit and other Asian Tour events.

The World Cup course has been renovated recently and will provide a severe test for the Asia and Japan teams in the three-day competition.

Visit www.visadynastycup.com for the latest news.

For further information please contact:
Chuah Choo Chiang
Asian Tour
Tel: +603 7880 3714
E-mail: chuah@asiantour.com

Joanna Ford
Fulford Public Relations
Tel: +65 6324 9316
Mb: + 65 9112 2320
E-mail: jford@fulfordpr.com

If you require images of Boonchu Ruangkit, kindly contact Joanna Ford.