Tetsuji Hiratsuka

Yangon, Myanmar, December 8: Japanese star Tetsuji Hiratsuka will defend his title at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan from February 2-5, 2012.

Hiratsuka's confirmation is a huge boost for the US$300,000 Asian Tour event which is making a return onto the Schedule after a one-year lapse.

Zaykabar and Air Bagan are providing the sponsorship support in the country's flagship event, which will be in the forefront of attention as it will act as the season-opening tournament for the 2012 Asian Tour season.

The Myanmar Open will be staged at a new venue at the highly rated Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

Zay Thiha, Vice Chairman of Zaykabar, said: "It is wonderful news that the defending champion Tetsuji Hiratsuka will return to Myanmar to defend his title. He is one of the most outstanding players from Japan and we look forward to welcoming him back.

"We are expecting a very strong international field of champions from the Asian Tour to compete in the Myanmar Open as we will be the first tournament of the new season. It promises to be an exciting week of golf for golf fans in Myanmar.

"The tournament will also go a long way to promote our country as a golfing and tourist destination as the Myanmar Open will be featured prominently in the electronic and print media via the Asian Tour's global platform."

Hiratsuka romped to an astounding 10-shot victory at the Myanmar Open in 2010 which acted as a springboard to an exceptional year where he won two other tournaments to finish fifth on the Asian Tour's Order fo Merit.

This year, the 40-year-old claimed victory at the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open on home soil for his fourth title on the Asian Tour.

The Myanmar Open, which was inaugurated in 1996, will spearhead an exciting line-up of Asian Tour tournaments in 2012.

U Tay Za, President of the Myanmar Golf Federation and the Myanmar PGA said: "We are preparing ourselves to hold a very successful week of golf with the return of the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan. The growing popularity of golf both at home and internationally will provide us with the opportunity to leverage our association with the Asian Tour, which is driving the professional game to new heights across Asia.

"Myanmar offers numerous and exciting destinations for tourists and the staging of an international golf championship will only promote our country immensely."

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said Hiratsuka's impending return to Myanmar was a huge boost for the tournament, which has crowned the likes of Boonchu Ruangkit, Thongchai Jaidee, James Kingston, Lin Keng-chi and Anthony Kang as champions.

"It is wonderful for any tournament to welcome back its defending champion. I am sure Tetsuji Hiratsuka will be keen to secure another victory at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club following his runaway victory in 2010," said Han.

"We are anticipating a strong cast of players from the Asian Tour to participate in Myanmar as it will be our first tournament of the year and everybody will be eager to come out to play after the end-of-season break. It will also be a good opportunity for the Myanmar players to test themselves against Asia's top stars."

End.

About the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan The Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan is a US$300,000 full field Asian Tour event which will be staged at the highly-rated Royal Mingalardon Golf & Country Club from February 2-5, 2012 and is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Myanmar Professional Golf Association. Myanmar's national championship will return to the Asian Tour Schedule after a year's lapse. It was inaugurated in 1996 and the list of champions includes illustrious names such as three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, countryman Boonchu Ruangkit, American Anthony Kang, South African James Kingston, Chinese Taipei's Lin Keng-chi and Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka who won the event in 2010. Sponsors include Zaykabar as the title sponsor, Air Bagan as the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Sedona Hotel Yangon, 100Plus (isotonic drink), Srixon (official ball), Inetol (official headwear), and supplier sponsors Canon (office automation supplier).

About the 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), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts), Cityneon (Official Event Overlay Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Source : http://www.asiantour.com