TOURNAMENT PREVIEW | THE VENETIAN MACAU OPEN
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Major presence: Ernie Els will be making his debut at the Macau Open from 17-20 October
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Upping its Game Boasting a strong field and increased purse, the Venetian Macau Open, which takes place later this month, is destined to become one of the Asian Tour’s most prized events, writes Alex Jenkins.
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he Macau Open has long been a favoured stop on the Asian Tour, and for good reason. The Macau Golf & Country Club, and the risk/reward nature of its tricky layout, is a fine venue, while the myriad off-course attractions of the former Portuguese colony – from glitzy casinos, outstanding restaurants and vibrant nightlife – are a draw themselves for the 140-plus field of young professionals, particularly at the beginning and end of tournament week. But these days there is an extra incentive. Since the Venetian Macao took over the role of title sponsor in 2012 – and incidentally becoming in the process the first title sponsor in the tournament's 14-year history – the prize purse has grown from a relatively paltry US$300,000 to an impressive three-quarters of a million dollars. This year's event, which takes place between 17-20 October, raises the bar yet
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further; US$800,000 is what's at stake, which propels Macau into the league of the Tour's bigtime events. For years golf industry insiders have long seen Macau as a tournament with tremendous potential. And while US$800,000 is still a world away from the mega millions that are on offer at the continent's richest events in Shanghai – the WGC-HSBC Champions and BMW Masters, which will be in the immediate weeks after Macau – the Venetian's input is to be applauded. As we have seen with both the Hong Kong and Singapore Opens, garnering golf tournament sponsorship is far from straightforward – even in Asia, which has been far less afflicted by the affects of the Global Financial Crisis than either Europe or the United States. The future it seems is bright for the Macau Open, and for those of us who want to see high-quality professional golf, this is great news.
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Els will have reason to celebrate regardless of how he performs, as he turns 44 during the tournament.
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Clockwise from above: Gaganjeet Bhullar secured his fourth Asian Tour victory with a brilliant performance in Macau 12 months ago; the Indian driving down the par-5 18th hole en route to victory last year; Macau Golf & Country Club’s daunting 17th – a spectacular par-3 – will doubtless have a role to play in determining the 2013 champion
More money generally – but not always – equates to stronger fields, and this month's event will likely boast arguably the best collection of players in Macau Open history. The biggest news is that four-time major champion Ernie Els has confirmed his place – although his participation will no doubt have been aided by a hefty appearance fee and the role of IMG, his management company, as the tournament's promoter – but we can expect to the cream of Asian golf – the likes of Thongchai Jaidee, reigning champion Gaganjeet Bhullar, China's Liang Wen-chong and possibly runaway Order of Merit leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat – to tee it up at scenic, cliff-top course. One of only six players to have won twice at both the US Open (1994, 1997) and the Open Championship (2002, 2012), Els will be looking to carry his recent good form, which included a win at the BMW International Open, to Macau, a city he has yet to set foot in. A win, however, would put the four-time major champion alongside a notable list of international stars
such as Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie who have triumphed in Coloane. "I am excited to be playing Macau," said the 'Big Easy', who has collected 70 professional titles over the span of his 25-year playing career. "I have never been there before but have heard many good things about the tournament as well as the city itself. The Venetian Macao is known for its world-class hospitality and entertainment and I have no doubt it will be a fantastic week on and off the course." And Els will have reason to celebrate regardless of how he performs, as he turns 44 during the tournament. Possessor of the most rhythmical swing in the game, the tall South African didn't rule out a visit to the gaming tables once his work on the course was done. "Time is moving on but I still love the game," said Els. "I'm trying to keep myself in half decent shape. It's exciting times. I believe I can play past 50, competitively. I still very much enjoy trying to improve ... I know the tournament has been going for quite some time and Macau is a happening city. People like to go there for fun and hopefully I can find the right number on the roulette table." One player who absolutely had the right number last year was Gaganjeet Bhullar. The
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The future it seems is bright for the Macau Open, and for those of us who want to see high-quality professional golf, this is great news. young Indian opened up with a sparkling 63 and put on an exhibition of ball-striking and he secured his fourth Asian Tour title with a 16-under-par total. Indeed, the Amritsar-born Bhullar led wire-to-wire and never looked fazed, despite a brilliant final-round charge by American Jonathan Moore who closed with a 65. “I have great memories of my win last year in Macau," said Bhullar, who currently lies in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. "I played consistently well throughout the four days and managed to hold off some really big names, which gave me a lot of confidence. I like the course at the Macau Golf & Country Club a lot and have every reason to believe I can repeat what I accomplished last year. I am looking forward to the challenge.” Strong field aside, one other incentive that will be sure to lure plenty of fans from Hong Kong via the CotaiJet to Macau is the tournament's entry price: zero. For the second successive year, organisers have confirmed that spectators will be admitted on to the course for free throughout the course of the four days. HKGOLFER.COM
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ZHANG IN SEARCH OF TITLE NUMBER THREE
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The Macau Golf & Country Club will be celebrating its twentieth anniversary later this year.
Two-time champion Zhang Lian-wei will compete at the 2013 Venetian Macau Open alongside Yang Zi-hao, the winner of the 13th Zhang Lian-wei Cup International Junior Invitational, which took place earlier this year. With wins in 2001 and 2002, Zhang has participated at every Macau Open except 2003 when he was injured. The Chinese legend is excited to return once again to the Macau Golf & Country Club, which has been a happy hunting ground for him over the past decade and a half. “Every year I look forward to going to Macau and playing at the Venetian Macau Open. There is something special about the tournament and I always seem to play well there. Since it all began back in 1998, I have only missed the competition once when I was injured. I am really proud to say I have never missed the cut at this tournament, which I consider a highlight of my career. It has been a while since my last win in 2002 and I think I am in the kind of form that can lead me to another title in Macau. “I love this tournament, it is superbly run and with the Venetian now on board as title sponsor, the entertainment and hospitality offerings have gone up another notch, making it a truly world class tournament,” Zhang added. Joining Zhang in Macau this year is teenage sensation, Yang Zi-hao. The 16-yearold was impressive at the Zhang Lian-wei Cup International Junior Invitational, which he won by three shots. The tournament was developed 13 years ago to promote golf in China and to provide a platform for aspiring and talented young players to compete at a high level, and build confidence as they prepare to become professionals and challenge on some of the biggest stages in world golf. The winner of the competition this year receives an invitation to play at the Venetian Macau Open and Yang is keen to make the most out of this unique opportunity. “I am really excited to be playing the Venetian Macau Open this year,” said Yang, who hails from Chengdu. “The amateur circuit is tough but playing professionally is something entirely different. This will be a great learning experience for me and I hope I will play well enough to make the cut so I get to enjoy the experience for four days instead of two! I am also very thankful to Mr Zhang. He is the pioneer of golf in China and because of his achievements over the years, the sport has become more popular, and in turn young players such as myself have many more opportunities to play.” The local challenge will be spearheaded by 25-year-old Xiao Jie-yu, one of the most experienced and consistent amateurs in Macau. Three top juniors – Choi Hou Kuan, Zhang Jun-tao and Tang Chak-hou – will also represent Macau at the tournament.
Victor Fraile / The Power of Sport Images
PAST WINNERS
Zhang Lian-wei, pictured above with talented youngsters Yang Zi-hao and Xiao Jie-yu, has two Macau Open titles to his credit – and has never missed the cut in 13 appearances 50
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2012
Gaganjeet Bhullar
IND
2011
Chan Yih-shin
TPE
2010
Not Played
2009
Thaworn Wiratchant
THA
2008
David Gleeson
AUS
2007
Lu Wen-teh
TPE
2006
Kane Webber
AUS
2005
Wang Ter-chang
TPE
2004
Jason Knutzon
USA
2003
Colin Montgomerie
SCO
2002
Zhang Lian-wei
CHN
2001
Zhang Lian-wei
CHN
2000
Simon Dyson
ENG
1999
Lee Westwood
ENG
1998
Satoshi Oide
JPN
Readers interested in volunteering to work during the event should contact venetianmacauopenenquiries@fasttrack.com.
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