HANOI, – Oct. 21, 2004 – Thai-based Simon Yates, currently the hottest player on the Asian Tour, will be amongst six of this season's winners in the elite field for the inaugural $200,000 Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam from November 4-7.
The talented Scotsman will be on a mission as he can hit the magical US$1 million mark in career earnings with a victory at the magnificent Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club, located on the outskirts of Hanoi.
Amongst those who will stand in Yates' way include former US Open champion Corey Pavin, who has accepted a sponsor's invite, Korea's Charlie Wi, Thai duo Boonchu Ruangkit and Thaworn Wiratchant, India's Rahil Gangjee and American Jason Knutzon, all whom have tasted victory this season.
Yates, 34, is enjoying a great run, winning the SK Telecom Open in Korea in late May before going on to secure four straight top-10s following the summer break. During that streak, he finished runner-up at the Korean Open, ahead of South African star Ernie Els.
He is presently ranked second behind Thongchai Jaidee on the Asian Tour Order of Merit while he is fourth on the career money list in Asia with $974,261. With a winner's cheque of $32,300 on offer in the Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam, Yates, who is also slated to play in an event before Hanoi, could join Thongchai, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa in the exclusive million-dollar club.
"I've never been to Hanoi previously and that's one of the main reasons why I've signed up for the Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam. I'm looking forward to it as I've been hitting it really solid from tee to green. I'm basically combining everything perfectly now, everything seems to be better," said Yates.
"I know I'm not far behind Thongchai in the Order of Merit and it will be nice to catch him. If I play great, the Order of Merit will take care of itself. I didn't realise that I'm close to hitting one million dollars in career earnings. It would be nice to do it."
The contenders will include Wi and Thaworn, both recent winners in the Asian Tour's swing in Chinese Taipei last month. American-based Wi, 10th on the Merit list, was victorious in the Taiwan Open while Wiratchant, currently sixth, triumphed in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
Knutzon claimed his maiden success at the Macau Open while India's rising star Gangjee came out tops in the Volkswagen Masters – China ahead of former Ryder Cup stars Nick Faldo and Philip Price. Boonchu won his home Open in January to become the oldest winner at 47 years on the Asian Tour and keeps proving he is like vintage wine which gets better with age.
"We are delighted that the inaugural Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam has attracted numerous winners from the Asian Tour," said South East Asia Brewery’s, General Director Henrik J. Andersen, the company which produces the two well-known Carlsberg and Halida Beer in Vietnam.
"Simon Yates will undoubtedly be the man in the news as he appears to be in very good form. We certainly look forward to a battle royale for the inaugural Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam title."
The impressive form has also pushed Yates to sign up for the US PGA Tour Qualifying School Stage Two. "I won the SK Telecom Open and that gave me a two-year exemption and the opportunity to try for the US Qualifying School. Many people think the US Tour is the best in the world to make your cash and a lot of the players here have said that my game is good enough to try for the US. So why not?," said Yates, who represented Scotland in downhill skiing during his youth.
"Winning in Korea was good as I broke through after a long time and that was a big thing for me as it guarantees my next two years on the Asian Tour. I'm really excited about playing golf for a living and I do enjoy it," he added.
Other top names slated for the Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam include former Asian number one Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar and former Tour winners such as Marcus Both of Australia, Lin Wen-ko of Chinese Taipei and Malaysia's Danny Chia.
About the Carlsberg Masters 2004, Vietnam
The inaugural Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam will be the 19th leg on the Asian Tour. The $200,000 tournament is title sponsored by Carlsberg, one of the largest brewery groups in the world as well as in Vietnam.
The tournament's main sponsors are Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club, Thai Airways as the Official Carrier, Hilton Hanoi Opera as the Official Hotel, GM Daewoo as the Official Car, Canon as the Official Office Suppliers and Aquafina as the Official Drink. Event partners include I-Golf, Hospital Francais De Hanoi, LG Electronics, Pepsi, the European Plastic Windows, Vinausteel, Nippon Paint, Somerset Grand Hanoi, Vietnam Partners LLC and High Performance Technology Joint Stock.
MEDIA CONTACT
Chuah Choo Chiang
Asian Tour
Communications Manager
T: +603 7880 3714
E: chuah@asiantour.com
www.asiantour.com
