Fiji, July 17: Thai hotshot Rattanon Wannasrichan is ready for a memorable debut at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways when the Fijian showpiece takes centre stage in the South Pacific next month.
The 23-year-old won his first Asian Tour title at his national open last year and is hopeful of repeating that winning form at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course where the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways is being held and tri-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour again.
While he is under no illusions of the stiff challenges including the course conditions that lie ahead, the Thai, who was among nine players who won their first Asian Tour titles in 2017, is optimistic of rising to the occasion.
“I’m in good form and I’m enjoying my golf. I believe I can do well. I expect it to be very windy as we are playing near the ocean and I’ll have to change a bit of my strategy.
“I’ll be trying to hit lots of low balls and hopefully the scores will be low too!” said Rattanon who represented Thailand during his amateur days and won the team and individual gold medals at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.
Rattanon has enjoyed three top-10s on the Asian Tour this season where he finished tied-fifth, fourth and ninth in Myanmar, Japan and Indonesia respectively.
The Thai is part of the international field expected to light up the Fiji International with more than 20 Asian Tour winners teeing off against the breathtaking views of the Coral Coast.
“It’s always nice to visit a new country like Fiji. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Fiji and I’ll be looking forward to taking in the sights when I’m there while putting in a strong performance on the golf course,” said Rattanon.
The Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways looks forward to welcoming Rattanon to Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.
“We are delighted that Rattanon Wannasrichan will be joining us for the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways,” said Gavin Kirkman CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and along with Sports and Entertainment Limited owns the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways.
“Since aligning with the Asian Tour in 2017, we have seen players from key international tourism markets tee it up in Fiji.
“This creates opportunities for the players who have competed at the tournament to not only sing their praises of the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course when they return home, but also the beauty of Fiji and the warm hospitality of the Fijian people making all the Fiji International players wonderful ambassadors for the country.”
The Fiji International will be headlined by former World Number one and one of Fiji’s greatest sportsmen Vijay Singh as well as four-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa.
About the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways
To be held from 2-5 August 2018 the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course which boasts breathtaking views of the Coral Coast and is home to the Natadola Beach Land Estate.
Enticed by the tropical destination, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways has attracted some of the world’s best golfers since its inaugural staging in 2014 including Fijian hero and three-time Major champion Vijay Singh, 2017 champion Jason Norris, 2016 champion Brandt Snedeker, 2015 champion Matt Kuchar, 2014 champion Steven Jeffress, Steven Bowditch, Boo Weekley and Nick Price.
This year’s tournament is set to feature four-time Major champion and Captain of the International Team for the 2019 Presidents Cup, Ernie Els.
In 2018, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways continues to have a global presence confirming its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour.
A Pacific paradise, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 8th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.
More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways 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.
Owned by SEL and the PGA of Australia, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways is proudly supported by the Fijian Government, Tourism Fiji and the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament.
About 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 Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.
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