ASEAN PGA - News

Danny Chia wins Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand and jumps to No.2 on the Order of Merit behind Angelo Que.

Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand (Tour Championship) - INFORMATION
(Nov 27 - 30)

SCOREBOARD
(updated as matches complete)

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat emerged victorious in the US$50,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam today after a storming six under par back nine featuring back to back eagles.

Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam
(Nov 20 - 23)

SCOREBOARD
(updated as matches complete)

DRAW Day 1

DRAW Day 2

DRAW Day 3

DRAW Day 4

A good turnout despite the rain on Day 4

Jay Bayron (PHI) & Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) enjoy a light moment before starting Round 4

Michael Bibat (PHI) & C M Chong (MAS) on Day 2

Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing took charge of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore today after playing what he described as arguably the best ball striking round of his career.

Lam hit all 18 greens in regulation on the Masters Course at Laguna National Golf and Country Club for a third round five-under-par 67 for a convincing four stroke lead over Michael Bibat from the Philippines, Malaysian M.Sasidaran and Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul.

Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore
(Nov 05 - 08)

LEADERBOARD
(scores updated as matches complete)

Rory Hie (IDN) still leads at 8 under, going into the final round
	INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP INDONESIA (OCT 22-25) LIVE SCORING! DRAW Day 1 DRAW Day 2 DRAW Day 3 DRAW Day 4

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

CASAS SIGNALS COMEBACK WITH B-ING VICTORY see scores here.

Veteran golfer Felix Casas from the Philippines produced a vintage display on the final day of the US$50,000 B-ing Championship to win by two strokes from Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Casas, aged 41, carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 at Pattana Golf and Sports Resort, near Chonburi in Thailand, to claim his first title on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Kiradech, the talented 19 year old who had led the tournament since day one and started the final round with a three stroke lead, closed with a 71.

Thailand’s Atthaphon Prathummanee finished in outright third place after shooting a 69 to finish five shots behind the winner.

Casas, whose last triumph was the Philippine Open in 2001, has been in the golfing wilderness for the past three years. He has spent much of his time coaching the Philippine Amateur team while struggling to recapture his form.

“I have had some personal problems which I don’t want to talk about but I am back now and ready to go again. I have been playing on the Mercedes-Benz Tour to try and get my game back and it’s been great,” said Manila-based Casas.

He made the turn in three under to lie two behind Kiradech but then took control of the tournament with three birdies on the trot from the 11th to lead by two.

“My scorecard may look like I cruised around but it wasn’t easy but after the 13th I felt very confident,” added Casas, who claimed US$7,510.

The Filipino ended with a four-round aggregate of 17-under-par 271.

Kiradech was bitterly disappointed not to secure his first win as a professional. He dominated the first three days with an impressive display of attacking golf that has signaled him as a star of the future.

“I just couldn’t do anything right today. Nothing felt right. I will learn from this but I am very disappointed,” said Kiradech.

He made an eagle, three birdies but also a double bogey, and two bogies. The turning point was the 12th where Casas birdied to take a one shot lead while Kiradech double bogeyed the hole. It was a massive blow to Kiradech who had just eagled the par five 11th.

Thailand’s big guns Thaworn Wiratchant and Thammanoon Srirot were unable to make an impression on the leader board. The former carded a 67 to finish alone in fifth place seven behind Casas.

Thammanoon returned a 72, in joint seventh place, nine adrift of the winner.

Malaysia’s Khor Kheng Hwai, who started the day in second place, closed with a disappointing 75 to finish tied with Thammanoon.

The B-ing Championship was the fifth event on this year’s Mercedes-Benz Tour and was joint-sanctioned with the All Thai Golf Tour.

Leading final round scores:

(Thai unless stated)

Par 72

271 - Felix Casas (PHI) 72-68-66-65
273 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat 65-68-69-71
276 - Atthaphon Prathummanee 68-66-73-69
277 - Udorn Duangdecha 67-69-72-69
278 - Thaworn Wiratchant 67-71-73-67
279 - Nakul Vichitryuthasastr 74-67-70-68
280 - Thammanoon Srirot 69-71-68-72, Khor Keng Hwai (MAS) 70-67-68-75
281 - Wisut Artjanawat 70-69-69-73

26th July 2008

LIVE SCORING

DAY 1 DRAW / RESULTS

DAY 2 DRAW / RESULTS

DAY 3 DRAW / RESULTS

DAY 4 DRAW / RESULTS

danny
Varut Chomchalam shoot 69 to tie for second place

Ben Leong wins his first event on the Mercedes-Benz Tour

(Angelo Que tees off the 15th and leads going into the Final Round)
ICTSI Mount Malarayat Championship
DAY ONE (02 July 2008)
DRAW
SCORES

DAY TWO (03 July 2008)
DRAW
SCORES

DAY THREE (04 July 2008)
DRAW
SCORES

DAY FOUR (05 July 2008)
DRAW
SCORES (scores updated EVERY 3 HOLES, please refresh page to update)

api
Kiradech Aphibarnrat

25th May 2008
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines , Tagaytay Midlands GC, Philippines

Day 1 Draw Sheet
Day 1 Scores

Day 2 Draw Sheet
Day 2 Scores and Cut

Day 3 Draw Sheet
Day 3 Scores

Day 4 Draw Sheet

DAY 4 LIVE SCOREBOARD!

Press Release April 29, 2008

KEY MOMENT FOR QUE IN MERCEDES-BENZ MASTERS PHILIPPINES

Manila, April 29: Angelo Que got an unexpected surprise when he attended a press conference today to announce details of next month’s inaugural Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines.

The Filipino was summoned to the stage by officials and told that he could have use of a Mercedes-Benz car whenever required in Manila in recognition of his popular victory in the Philippine Open this month.

Que will therefore not only be the star attraction in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines - to be played at Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club from May 22 to 25 – but he will also arrive there in fitting fashion.

“Wow this is a great surprise. I haven’t had a car since 2003 but my wife Tracey does. She is expecting, so we’ll have to think about family cars,” said Que, who spent the best part of an hour at the showroom where the press con was held looking at the impressive automobiles on display.

The exact details of the deal are still to be determined but officials said that when Que is in town he can pop along to the showroom anytime and will be given a car to use.

“We want to make sure he has a nice car so he can easily get to tournaments and win another big title again like the Philippine Open. It’s likely we will let him experience using most of our different types of models,” said Jochen Carle, Vice President GD Markets South and Southeast Asia, Daimler SEA Singapore.

The Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines is the second leg on this year’s Tour and will feature a strong field including Mars Pucay and Juvic Pagunsan.

The Mercedes-Benz Tour was launched in March in Singapore when 10 tournaments were announced to be played across Southeast Asia. Six of the events are being titled sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. The circuit has been set up to create more playing opportunities for up and coming professionals in the region.

The season-opening Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia will be played the week before the Tour heads to the Philippines. Two events will be played in the Philippines this year, with the ICTSI Mt Malarayat Championship set to be played in July.

“CATS Motors is proud to be involved in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines. We have always believed that Mercedes-Benz and golf fit very well together,” said Gregorio T. Yu, Chairman, CATS Motors Inc.
“We are now extremely excited that the involvement of the brand in the region is being taken to the professional level this year through the Mercedes-Benz Tour, with the Philippines being one of the key stops,” added Yu.

Other countries the Tour will head to this year are Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

A field of over 100 players will compete in each event with the bulk of players coming from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Tour was inaugurated last year - called the ASEAN Golf Tour - and saw five tournament played. It proved to be a great success and saw Pucay winning twice, in the Mercedes-Benz Championship Vietnam and the Mt Malarayat Championship. He finished on top of the Order of Merit with winnings of US$15,166.
The 2007 Order of Merit counts towards this year’s Merit list so Pucay starts the season ranked number one. Que, who claimed the Laguna National ASEAN Championship in Singapore, lies in second place with earnings of US$14,084.
“The Philippines is one of the strongholds of Asian golf and we are therefore delighted to be heading here. The country’s players have performed with distinction on Tour so far and more and more tournaments will be played here. We are extremely proud that the Tour has grown so quickly in such a short period of time. This year the Tour will boast 10 tournaments and we are indebted to Mercedes-Benz for choosing to become our Tour title sponsor,” said A.C. Wong, Chairman, Mercedes-Benz Tour.
The Tour plans to organize events in the other ASEAN member nations such as Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club will be an outstanding setting for the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines.
Situated amidst a dense forest 1,000 feet above Taal Lake, the 400-hectare Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club boasts a championship golf course with a picture-perfect view of the Taal Lake and volcano.

Press Release April 7, 2008

EMERALDA TO HOST MERCEDES-BENZ MASTERS INDONESIA

The Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia, which is the opening event of the season on the newly launched Mercedes-Benz Tour, will be played at Emeralda Golf & Country Club next month.

The US$50,000 tournament will be played from May 14 to 17 and will see Malaysia’s Danny Chia and Filipino Angelo Que compete – the pair finished first and second respectively in the Philippine Open at the weekend.

Indonesia’s best players such as Denny Supriadi, Maan Nasim, Ilyasak and Suprapto will all grace the fairways of Emeralda. These players were regulars on the Tour last year, when it was inaugurated and called the ASEAN Golf Tour.

Five events were played with Mars Pucay from the Philippines winning two while Chia and Que both triumphed once. This year Mercedes-Benz became title sponsor of the Tour which now boasts a strong schedule of 10 events. “Our first event last year was also played here in Indonesia and was a great success. We are expecting another perfect start to the season when the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia tees off at the splendid Emeralda Golf & Country Club,” said A.C. Wong, Chairman, Mercedes-Benz Tour.

“We are extremely proud that the Tour has grown so quickly in such a short period of time and of course we are indebted to Mercedes-Benz for their support. We set up the Tour in order to create more playing opportunities for professional golfers in the ASEAN region and so it is very appropriate that the first event is being played in Indonesia. There is a wealth of talented golfers here hungry for more tournaments to play in,” added Wong.

The Tour will visit Indonesia twice this year - for the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia and The International Championship presented by Telkomsel, from August 13 to 16. The later tournament was the opening event last season and saw Chia take top spot. Mercedes-Benz are title sponsoring six of the events on Tour in 2008 including Mercedes-Benz Masters tournaments in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

All the tournaments boast prize money of US$50,000 apart from the season-ending Mercedes-Benz Tour Championship in Thailand in November which will offer US$75,000. “This promises to be an exceptional year for Mercedes-Benz. We are extremely excited about becoming involved in professional golf in our region particularly as the Mercedes-Benz Tour will aim to nurture the stars of the future,” said Rudi Borgenheimer, President & CEO Mercedes-Benz Indonesia.

“News of this fledgling circuit has quickly spread and we are expecting a strong turnout of players at each event. We are of course privileged that the opening event will be the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia. The country has the potential to become one of the strongholds of professional golf in the region like Thailand and the Philippines and the Mercedes-Benz Tour will clearly help facilitate this,” added Borgenheimer.

The Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia is sanctioned by the PGPI and the bulk of the field will be made up of 50 players from Indonesia, and 20 each from Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. With Emeralda Golf & Country Club having been selected as the venue everything is in place for an outstanding tournament. The Club hosted the Indonesian Open in 2006, the Asian Matchplay Championship in 1996 and the 1995 Alfred Dunhill Masters.

“Emeralda Golf & Country Club is no stranger to staging top class professional tournaments. We are particularly pleased to be hosting the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia as the tournament and the Tour are doing so much to help develop professional golf in our country,” said Utomo Santoso, President Director of Emeralda Golf and Estate. Located in greater Jakarta the club boasts two courses one designed by Arnold Palmer the other by Jack Nicklaus. The Palmer course will be used for the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia.

PRESS RELEASE
MERCEDES-BENZ TAKE THE LEAD WITH NEW GOLF TOUR

Singapore , March 4 2008 : Mercedes-Benz have become a major stakeholder in professional golf in the region by announcing today they will become Tour Title Sponsor of the ASEAN Golf Tour.

In a landmark development for golf in Southeast Asia this year's Mercedes-Benz Tour will feature at least 10 tournaments all offering prize money of US$50,000. The season-ending Tour Championship will boast US$75,000.

Mercedes-Benz, as part of a three-year deal, will not only title sponsor the Tour but they will also title sponsor events in six of their key markets namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Tour is aimed at providing greater playing opportunities for professionals from the ASEAN region - whether they are up-and-coming players or more seasoned competitors.

The circuit first took shape last year when the ASEAN Golf Tour teed off and staged five tournaments during the second half of the season. So successful was the Tour that Mercedes-Benz quickly seized upon the opportunity to lend their sponsorship support.

"We are pleased to align the Mercedes-Benz brand with the Tour and I am confident that our title sponsorship will help grow the Tour and make a huge impact on the game in Southeast Asia . The game of golf shares the same brand values as Mercedes-Benz and so this sponsorship represents a strong and synergistic partnership for both Mercedes-Benz and golf," said Wolfgang Huppenbauer, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz ( Thailand ).

The opening event on Tour will be the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia from May 15 to 18, followed the week after by the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines from May 22 to 25.

"At Mercedes-Benz, we pride ourselves on Performance, Passion and Precision which are consistent brand values which have propelled Mercedes-Benz to the top of the premium luxury automobile segment in Singapore with strong presence across Southeast Asia," added Dr Rainer Thiel, President & CEO, Daimler South East Asia Pte. Ltd.

The German auto giant enjoys a close bond with the game of golf at the global, regional and local levels. They are particularly proud of The Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii , which is the curtain-raiser on the US PGA Tour, and the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany , which is part of the European Tour.

A.C. Wong, one of the guiding hands behind last year's ASEAN Golf Tour and Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Tour said: "Thanks to the support of Mercedes-Benz we are now in a position to change the face of professional golf in Southeast Asia . The concept of this Tour was always a sound and noble one and something that has quickly caught the eye of the corporate world."

The Tour is officially sanctioned by ASEAN and is headquartered in Singapore . This year three events will be held in Thailand , two each in Indonesia and the Philippines and one in Malaysia , Singapore and Vietnam .

"While we have 10 events on the schedule at the moment there is a possibility that we will add several more this year. In the ensuing seasons we also hope to stage tournaments in Brunei , Cambodia , Laos , and Myanmar ," added Wong.

News of the launch of the Tour has been welcomed by professionals across the region. Said Malaysia 's top golfer Danny Chia: "This is a very significant development for golf in Asia and it will definitely make the golfing world sit up and take notice. The circuit is an ideal breeding ground for young players and one that I wish existed when I first turned professional."

World Sport Group, who are headquartered in Singapore , are the Official Commercial Partner for the Mercedes-Benz Tour. The experienced organization, who boast the US$5million Barclays Singapore Open in its portfolio of impressive golfing events, will be responsible for key areas such as event management, sponsorship and television.

"We are all extremely excited to be launching such a new circuit with so much potential. This is not just one tournament but a very strong series of tournaments across the region from which we are certain to see some marvelous young players emerge. We thank Mercedes-Benz for their support and look forward to a lasting relationship," said Seamus O'Brien, President & CEO, World Sport Group.

PRAYAD FOILS BOONCHU’S TITLE DEFENCE AT SINGHA E SAN OPEN

Nongkhai, Thailand, December 22: The in-form Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand beat defending champion Boonchu Ruangkit at the third play-off hole to win the US$50,000 Singha E San Open on Saturday.

It was the 41-year-old Prayad’s second triumph in two weeks following his emotional win in the Volvo Masters of Asia, a victory which helped him rise to world number 72.

He closed with a six-under-par 65 for a total of 19-under-par 265 but veteran Thai Boonchu, who had led the ASEAN Golf Tour event from the opening round, birdied the final hole for a 66 to take Prayad into extra holes at Victory Park Golf and Country Club. The playoff was contested on the 18th with Prayad winning US$7,576.

Angelo Que of the Philippines finished two shots behind in third after a closing 66 with Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin and Thaworn Wiratchant, the former Asian number one, in joint fourth place after carding 66 and 65 respectively.

“It is great to win my second tournament in two weeks,” said Prayad, who birdied the third play off hole from 12 feet to edge his old rival. “I have been second a lot of times so it is good for my confidence to have back to back wins.

“Boonchu is a great competitor and battled to the last. It was a close contest and I am happy to have won.”
Prayad looked to have delivered the knockout blow in the battle of the heavyweights on the par-three 17th hole with a superb sand save. Boonchu bogeyed after also finding the bunker off the tee.

But the old master dug deep into his bag of tricks to hit an exquisite approach below the trees to three feet at the 18th for birdie.

“The turning point was the 17th when I had a six foot putt to save par but I hit it too hard,” said the 51-year-old Boonchu, who will head back to play on the US Champions Tour in January.
“It was a fantastic battle with Prayad and Angelo and a lot of fun. I do not have a great playoff record, I have won six and lost eight in my career, so I was not that confident going into sudden death.”

Que, who won the Laguna National ASEAN Championship in Singapore, was happy with his final day performance.
“They played better than I played,” said the big-hitting Que. “I played quite good but was still beaten by two. They are very good players.”

Que made a fast start with three straight birdies to join Boonchu and Prayad, who eagled the par-five second hole, in the lead.

The trio all birdied the fifth hole and were locked together at the turn before Que fell back after a bogey at the 10th.
Boonchu took the outright lead again when he birdied the 532-yard par-five 12th with Que also picking up a shot.

Prayad rejoined Boonchu in the lead with a birdie at the 15th after they had both picked up shots at the 14th hole.

The final group all birdied the 16th before Prayad edged ahead with the sand save at the 17th. Boonchu, who also found the bunker off the tee, missed his six foot par putt.

Prayad had a chance to win in regulation but his 15-foot birdie putt ran past the edge of the hole.
Teen titan Kiradech Apibalrat, playing his first event as a professional, signed off with a sizzling 10-under-par 61 to roar up the leaderboard to sixth spot.

The 18 year old, who was runner up in both the Putra Cup and the SEA Games in recent weeks, started with three birdies in a row and finished with a flourish, chipping in for eagle at the 16th and birdie at the next hole.

“I am really proud of myself to have shot 61 in my first professional event,” said Kiradech, who nabbed eight birdies and an eagle en route to posting the best score of the week. “I was very relaxed out there today which made the difference as I had been nervous in the earlier rounds.”
The ASEAN Golf Tour, which was set up to create more playing opportunities for aspiring professionals from Southeast Asia, is planning a 10-tournament schedule in 2008 following five events this season.

Leading final round scores (a denotes amateur):

Par 71
265 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 67-69-64-65 (won at third play off hole), Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 64-69-66-66
267 - Angelo Que (PHI) 70-65-66-66
270 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 66-70-68-66, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 66-69-70-65
271 - Kiradech Apibalrat (THA) 71-69-70-61
272 - Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 70-65-67-70
276 - Tepphatud Sanawong (THA) 71-71-63-71, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 74-68-66-68
279 - Nakul Vijityuthasart (THA) 70-68-69-72, Varut Chomchalam (THA) (a) 71-72-66-70, Mars Pucay (PHI) 74-71-65-69, Felix Casas (PHI) 74-66-72-67

Selected scores
285 - Pipatpong Naewsuk (THA) (a) 72-73-66-74
288 - Quincy Quek (SIN) (a) 72-71-73-72

SINGHA ESAN OPEN 2007 Victory Park Golf & Country Club December 19-22, 2007 Prize Money : $50,000.00 USD click here for Tournament Information
Dec 19th Press Release Dec 20th Press Release Dec 21st Press Release	ROUND 1 SCORES ROUND 2 SCORES ROUND 3 SCORES ROUND 4 SCORES

THE ASEAN TOUR WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND CONDOLENCE TO SUPPHAPHORN'S FAMILY

November 25: We are sad to hear the passing of Supphaphorn Maphungphong. The Asean Golf Tour Board Members and Staff, sadly extends their condolences to the family of Supphaphorn Maphungphong, who passed away in Bangkok on Saturday. He was 61. Supphaphorn was a fellow Board Member of The Asean Golf Tour.

Supphaphorn was widely regarded as the godfather of Thai golf where he held the position as Director of Sports in Singha Corporation. Singha is one of the main backers of professional golf in Thailand and a strong supporter of The Asean Golf Tour.

Supphaphorn was also the first chairman of the old Asian PGA Tour in 1995 and played an active role in the development of the game across the Asean region and in Thailand.

PRESS RELEASE

MARS OVER THE MOON AT MERCEDES-BENZ CHAMPIONSHIP

Ho Chi Minh, November 17:

Filipino Mars Pucay claimed the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Championship Vietnam today for his second victory of the season on the ASEAN Golf Tour.

The 37 year old’s experience shone through at Vietnam Golf & Country Club as he carded a two-under-par 70 to beat Thailand’s Pijit Petchakasem by a stroke.

Pijit also closed with a 70 while one stroke further back was his compatriot Nakul Vichitryuthasastr and Felix Casas of the Philippines.

The final round proved to be an enthralling battle between the more senior duo of Pucay and Casas and two young and emerging Thai stars Pijit and Nakul.

Pucay started the day one stroke adrift of Nakul and was the picture of consistency making three birdies and one bogey. The back nine was particularly impressive as in tense circumstances he birdied the par-five 10 th and then recorded eight pars.

He finished with a four-round-aggregate of five-under-par 283.

The man from Canlubang won the Tour’s second leg, the Active Mount Malarayat Championship in the Philippines last month, and was thrilled to finish top again.

He said: “Wow, this is a great feeling! It was close all the way. I think when I look back it was my putting that really counted. I am making something like 28 or 29 putts per round.”

Pucay turned professional in 1994 after winning the Philippine Amateur Championship and partnered Casas in the 1999 World Cup.

“I am definitely being more aggressive with my game right now which is a first and I have been working hard on my game. It is great to see the hard work pay off,” added Pucay, who won US$6,970.

In contrast to Pucay’s steadiness, the players challenging him produced a mixed bag.

Pijit made a strong finish with birdies on 14 and 17 and he missed a 15-foot putt for birdie on the last.

“I had a chance and it was good to finish well under pressure,” said Pijit.

Casas made costly bogeys on 16 and 18 while Nakul never quite recovered after playing the font nine in one over.

In an encouraging sign for Vietnamese golf, Hyunh Van Son finished seven off the pace. The 28 year old amateur, who was the joint first round leader along with Pucay, closed with a 73.

The fifth and final event of the year on the ASEAN Golf Tour is the E-San O pen at Victory Park Golf & Country Club from December 19 to 22.

ENDS

Leading final round scores:

Par 72

(a) denotes amateur

283 - Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-72-72-70
284 - Pijit Petchakasem (THA) 70-75-69-70
285 - Felix Casas (PHI) 71-74-68-72, Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (THA) 70-71-71-73
286 - Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 75-74-69-68
287 - Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71-75-68-73, Jay Bayron (PHI) (a) 69-75-71-72
290 - Hyunh Van Son (VNM) (a) 69-74-74-73, Pornpong Phatlum (THA) 77-72-68-73

For Full Leaderboard click here

Day 1 Press Release
Day 2 Press Release
Day 3 Press Release

(For further information please contact Simon Wilson, Media Manager, World Sport Group – Golf, mobile 65 9127 5419)

PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 13, 2007

TOUR IN GEAR WITH MERCEDES-BENZ CHAMPIONSHIP VIETNAM

The ASEAN Golf Tour charts new territory this week when it tees-off for the first time in Vietnam - one of the new frontiers of professional golf in Asia.

The Mercedes-Benz Championship Vietnam, which is only the fifth professional tournament to be played in the country, starts on Wednesday at Vietnam Golf & Country Club, near Ho Chi Minh City.

Boasting prize money of US$50,000 the tournament marks the fourth leg of this year’s ASEAN Golf Tour. In an exciting development a Mercedes-Benz C Class Car is on offer for the first player to ace the par-three 17^th.

As with all the events played on Tour so far this season the field is a blend of youth and experience.

Filipinos Felix Casas and Mars Pucay and Singaporeans Dino Kwek and Poh Eng Wah, are some of the more established names competing.

The up and coming players in the field include Marvin Dumandan from the Philippines, Thailand’s Nakul Vichitryuthasastr and Malaysia’s Khor Keng Hwai and Lim Eng Seng.

There are also eight Vietnamese amateurs in the tournament who have been selected to play by the newly formed Vietnam Golf Association, who are joint sanctioning the event.

Having finished fourth in last week’s event in Singapore, Casas is one of the favourites for victory in Vietnam.

The former amateur star who has played with great success in Asia for over a decade has struggled with his game over the past two years and is currently coach of the national amateur team.

“Last week did a lot for my confidence and hopefully this week I can keep it going. The ASEAN Golf Tour has provided me with an opportunity to kick start my career again, and on top of that I wouldn’t mind winning that car on 17!” said Casas.

His compatriot Pucay will also fancy his chances having claimed the second leg on the circuit in the Philippines, called the Active Mount Malarayat Championship.

Vietnam Golf & Country Club was the first 36-hole club to be opened in Vietnam over 10 years ago. It hosted the Vietnam Open in 1995 and 1997, while the other professional tournament staged in the country was the Vietnam Masters in 2004 and 2005.

ENDS

(For further information please contact Simon Wilson, Media Manager, World Sport Group – Golf, mobile 65 9127 5419.)

PRESS RELEASE -- NOVEMBER 10, 2007

ASEAN ACE ANGELO LEVELS LAGUNA

For the second week in a row Singapore witnessed another Angelic performance on the golf course after Angelo Que claimed the Laguna National ASEAN Championship.

Last week Angel Cabrera from Argentina won the Barclays Singapore Open, and Que triumphed by one stroke today over Malaysian Danny Chia and Singapore amateur sensation Quincy Quek.

Que closed with a three-under-par 69 over the Classic Course at Laguna National Golf & Country Club to finish with a stunning four-round aggregate of 20-under-par 268.

Chia also shot a 69 while Quek closed with a 66 in the US$50,000 event. A shot further back was Felix Casas from the Philippines, in with 68.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat returned a 71 to finish in fifth place seven behind Que.

In a gripping finish to the tournament Que and Chia, playing in the last flight, were tied playing the final hole. Feeling the pressure both players hit poor drives with Que pulling his tee shot left into the rough while Chia found water down the right side.

Que managed to scramble a bogey five but Chia recorded a double bogey after seeing his bogey putt from 12 feet slip past the cup. Casas also took a costly six on 18.

“This is a great win for me and has given me a lot of confidence. I was so relaxed out there - it was just like playing a round with my mates. I have never shot 20 under before, I think my best was about 12 under,” said Que.

The Laguna National ASEAN Championship is the third leg of this year’s ASEAN Golf Tour – which was launched in September. Que finished joint fourth and equal eighth in the first two events.

“The ASEAN Golf Tour is about giving more playing opportunities to professionals in the region who do not have a chance to play on Asia’s main circuit. However, it is also a great opportunity for players like myself, Danny (Chia), and Mardan (Mamat) to get some tournament practice when the big events are not being played,” said Que, who started the day one in front of Chia.

Chia had a roller coaster back nine birdieing 10, 11, 14, 15 and 17 but he double bogeyed 12 and 18.

“That is the second time this week I have found the water on 18. The angle of the tee unsettles me a bit. I played really well this week, that is the main thing but just made a couple of costly mistakes in each round and had a bit of bad luck,” said Chia, won the US$50,000 International Championship presented by Telkomsel – the inaugural event on the ASEAN Golf Tour in Indonesia in September.

Quek, aged 20, played a nearly flawless round making the turn in four under par. A bogey on the par four 16th was the only blemish on his scorecard.

“I played great. Pity about the bogey as that would have got me into a play off. I am not worried, it’s been two great weeks,” said the Singaporean, who was the leading amateur in last week’s Barclays Singapore Open.

He has another year and half in the National Service but golf is still very much part of his schedule as he prepares to play for his country in the forthcoming Putra Cup in the Philippines and the SEA Games in Thailand.

The next event on the ASEAN Golf Tour is the US$50,000 Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship at Vietnam Golf & Country Club which starts next Wednesday.

ENDS

Leading Final Round scores:

Par 72

268 – Angelo Que (PHI) 65-66-68-69
269 – Danny Chia (MAS) 64-68-68-69, Quincy Quek (SIN) (a) 70-64-69-66
270 – Felix Casas (PHI) 68-66-68-68
275 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 67-71-66-71
276 – Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71-66-71-68, Nakul Vichitryuthasatr (THA) 67-71-70-68, Jerome Delariarte (PHI) 68-72-71-65
278 – Mars Pucay (PHI) 68-73-65-72, S. Sivachandran (MAS) 70-69-69-70

(For further information please contact Simon Wilson, Media Manager, World Sport Group – Golf, mobile 65 9127 5419.)

DAY ONE (Nov 7th) NEWS

DAY TWO (Nov 8th) NEWS

DAY THREE (Nov 9th) NEWS

PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 24, 2007

MERCEDES-BENZ LAUNCH VIETNAM CHAMPIONSHIP

The ASEAN Golf Tour schedule was strengthened today when it announced that the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship will be staged at Vietnam Golf & Country Club next month.

In a wonderful new development for one of Asia’s emerging golfing nations the tournament will be played from November 14 to 17 and boast prize money of US$50,000.

The Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship will mark the fourth stop on the circuit, which was launched in September.

“Mercedes-Benz is extremely excited to be part of this noble new initiative. In particular we are thrilled that we will be able to play such an important role in helping Vietnam be part of the ASEAN Golf Tour.

“Golf is one of the sponsorship criteria of Daimler worldwide and also Mercedes-Benz Vietnam. With Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship, we would like bring a chance for Vietnamese top golfers to compete with leading professional golfers in the region to sharpen their playing skills. And, the overall purpose is that we would like to contribute to the development of golf in Vietnam at a high level,” said Andreas Binder, Sales & Marketing Director, Mercedes Benz Vietnam.

The tournament will draw a strong field of players from the ASEAN region with the bulk of players coming from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

“At the heart of any sport is the spirit of competition and in 2007 the development of the game in Vietnam will receive a huge boost when the Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship tees off,” added Binder.

The ASEAN Golf Tour has five events on its schedule this year. Malaysia’s Danny Chia triumphed in the first event, the International Championship presented by Telkomsel in Indonesia.

Last week Filipino Mars Pucay won the Active Mount Malarayat Championship on home soil.

The week before the Vietnam leg, the Tour heads to Singapore for the Laguna National ASEAN Championship while the season-ending event will be held in Thailand in December.

“The Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship will be an integral part of the ASEAN Golf Tour. It is the first year of the Tour and we are thrilled that we have been able to so quickly stage an event in Vietnam. We are indebted to the support of Mercedes-Benz and Vietnam Golf & Country Club,” said A.C. Wong, Chairman, ASEAN Golf Tour.

The ASEAN Golf Tour, whose patron is His Excellency Mr Ong Keng Yong, the ASEAN Secretary-General, was set up in order to provide greater playing opportunities for players in the region. In particular it is targeting the up and coming players by giving them more tournament playing experience.

“Our first two events have been extremely well received by players from across the region, who are delighted to have chance to play in more tournaments,” added Wong, who aims to add more tournaments to the schedule next year.

An off shoot of Vietnam’s burgeoning economy has been the emergence of golf as one of the country’s fastest growing sports.

The Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Championship will be joint-sanctioned with the Vietnam Golf Association, who will choose their best amateurs to play in the event. Blair Cornthwaite, General Manager, Vietnam Golf & Country Club.

The Club’s Lee Trevino-designed championship course, will be used for the tournament.

Located just 20 kilometres from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Golf and Country Club is also the nearest golf club to the city.

PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 20, 2007

Pucay climbs to the top at Mount Malarayat

Lipa City, Philippines– Local hero Mars Pucay fired a final round four-under-par 68 to win the Active Mount Malarayat Championship on the fledgling ASEAN Golf Tour on Saturday.

He blitzed the Malarayat layout to snuff out the challenge of countryman Orlan Sumcad, the overnight co-leader, in the US$30,000 event.

Pucay posted a four-round total of eight-under-par 280 to win by three strokes from Rey Pagunsan, who closed with a 69. Sumcad carded a 72 for a share of third place with amateur Ferdinand Aunzo.

Pagunsan, two shots adrift at the start of the day, put pressure on Pucay with an eagle three at the 17th hole that took him to within a stroke of the lead.

But he bogeyed the last after missing the green with his approach and Pucay finished in style with back-to-back birdies to claim victory in the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour and pocket a cheque for US$4,895.

“I just felt that there were some holes on the course that I had to play aggressively,” said the 36-year-old Pucay. “This is a good send off for me considering that the big legs of the Asian Tour are coming up (with the US$4 million Barclays Singapore Open from November 1-4).”

Flu-stricken second round leader Artemio Murakami, the winner of the Johor Open on the Asian Tour in August, turned in another 74 to finish on level par 288. Jun Rates, like Sumcad a local club professional, ended another shot back after also closing with a 74.

Danny Zarate, who was in second place after the first round, carded a final round 69 to finish alongside Asian Tour regular Angelo Que in joint eighth place.

No overseas players finished in the top 10 with Malaysian M. Sasidaran claiming a share of 11th spot with Marvin Dumandan on 291.

Dumandan suffered a spirit-crushing setback in the first leg of the Tour in Indonesia when he surrendered a seven-stroke lead on the final day to lose the International Championship presented by Telkomsel to the fast-finishing Danny Chia of Malaysia.

Leading final scores (Philippines unless stated)

280 – M. Pucay 71-72-69-68

283 – R. Pagunsan 75-69-70-69

284 – O. Sumcad 70-71-71-72, F. Aunzo (A) 71-73-69-71

288 – A. Murakami 71-69-74-74, J. Bayron (A) 73-72-68-75

289 – J. Rates 73-73-69-74

290 – D. Zarate 69-75-77-69, A. Que 72-76-71-71, M. Bibat (A) 75-72-72-71

291 – M. Sasidaran (Mal) 73-72-73-72, M. Dumandan 74-74-73-70

292 – D. Sanchez 82-69-72-69, N. Vichittryuthasastr (Tha) 68-74-76-74, J. Delariarte 71-76-70-75, N. Tantipokhakul (Tha) 73-71-73-75

293 – R. Sinfuego 71-77-71-74, R. Jamnong (Tha) 70-75-73-75, A. Lascuna 72-72-74-75, R. Pactolerin 72-78-75-69, P. Minoza 77-73-69-75.

Day 1 Press Release (17th)
Day 2 Press Release (18th)
Day 3 Press Release (19th)