Fijian champion Vijay Singh has once again signed on to support his country’s largest sporting event; the Fiji International.
Being played from the 6-9 October at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course this will be the Fiji International’s third staging with Singh supporting the tournament from the start.
The Fijian Government is delighted to see Vijay Singh returning home again this year.
“Vijay has been a great ambassador for Fiji and the Fiji International. We are excited to have him return for the third consecutive year of the tournament.” said Hon. Faiyaz Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism.
“We Fijians are passionate about our sports and even more so for our athletes that have succeeded in the international arena.”
“Vijay’s presence at the Fiji International will not only boost Fiji’s position as a must-go-to destination for golf enthusiasts world-wide, but also build our capacity to host world class events and develop international standard venues.” added the Hon. Faiyaz Koya
Singh has won 60 tournaments including three Major Championships in 16 different countries around the world.
“I am so proud that Fiji now has a world class tournament which brings some excellent golfers to the country,” said Singh, who is in good form on the PGA TOUR, having already recorded a runner-up finish this year.
“I love coming home to play. I have managed some good finishes in the first two Fiji Internationals but I am hoping this is the year I am victorious.”
Following Cyclone Winston, Singh believes it more important than ever that he compete in this year’s Fiji International.
“Winston was devastating for Fiji, but the people of Fiji are tenacious and the country has started to recover,” added Singh.
“Fiji is working hard to showcase that it is open for business, the Fiji International plays a big role in that and I hope that my competing in the tournament will help spread the message.”
Singh this year will headline the Fiji International as it becomes co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the first time.
“Vijay has had an illustrious career and continues to be a competitive force on the PGA TOUR,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia which oversees the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Having Vijay, Fiji’s most successful sportsman, compete at the Fiji International, the country’s largest sporting event is always a key priority for us.”
“Through the Fiji International we aim to grow Fiji as a golfing destination but also grow golf in the country. Bringing Vijay home to inspire the next generation of golfers is integral to that vision.”
For the third consecutive year the prize money on offer at the Fiji International will receive a boost.
“This increase will be an added incentive for more professional golfers to take part in the Fiji International, thus improving the field of players and increasing the competition in the tournament,” added the Hon Faiyaz Koya.
In 2014 players competed for AU$1.050million with this increased to AU$1.125million last year when Kuchar won the tournament.
This year players will be competing for AU$1.5million, the increase of over 30 per cent on last year a result of the co-sanctioning with the European Tour.
“Since its inception the Fiji International has grown and thrived on all fronts; from the quality of players competing, to interest in Fiji and recognition on the world stage. The growth of the prize money reflects this,” added Thorburn.
“To become a European Tour co-sanctioned event the Fiji International needed to meet a prize money minimum which it now does.”
“Along with the players receiving a boost in prize money thanks to the European Tour co-sanctioning, the tournament and Fiji will also receive a boost. This unique tournament and beautiful golfing destination will be shown to more homes around the globe than in previous years thanks to the European Tour broadcast platform.”
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October with tickets on sale shortly.
About the Fiji International
The inaugural Fiji International in 2014 signaled Fiji’s official arrival onto the global golfing stage, with the Fijian Government, Fijian Tourism and Fiji’s number one player, Vijay Singh, all making a push to put their country on the lucrative world golfing map.
In 2015, the Fiji International established a reputation amongst the world’s best golfers as a must-attend event for themselves and their families.
This year, the Fiji International will expand its global presence and confirm its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region.
The tournament also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 4th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.
More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.
The Fiji International is proudly supported by InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament until 2017.