Thailand Golf Association president Rungsrid Luxitanonda, second from right, unveils the trophy at the press conference yesterday.
Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Englishman Chris Wood, the defending champion, will light up the fairways at the US$1-million Thailand Open next month, with Ireland's Paul McGinley, recently announced as Europe's Ryder Cup captain for 2014, Japanese legend Shingo Katayama and Korean rising star Kim Kyung-tae also competing.
"There is no question that this year's Thailand Open features one of its strongest ever fields. This will be the first time Harrington will play in our national Open and we are thrilled that he has taken time out of his busy schedule to join our event," said Rungsrid Luxitanonda, representing the Thailand Golf Association and Singha Corporation.
Star attraction Harrington won the Open Championship in 2007 to become the first Irishman to win the event in 60 years. A year later he successfully defended that title, then three weeks later won the US PGA Championship.
His friend and compatriot McGinley is a four-time winner on the European Tour but is best known for his heroics in the Ryder Cup.
His phenomenal record in helping to win the Ryder Cup in 2002, 2004 and 2006 led to him being named the Europe team captain for 2014.
The likeable Irishman played in the Thailand Open last year, watching a brilliant debut title win by Wood. He triumphed by two shots at Suwan Golf and Country Club.
Thana City Golf Sport Club will provide a fitting challenge for players of this calibre and a tournament of this stature.
The history of the Thailand Open stretches back to 1965, but it wasn't until 1991 that a home player, Suthep Meesawat, lifted the trophy. The most popular winner of the event is Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit, who took top honours in 1992 and 2004.
No doubt the whole nation will be hoping that a Thai name goes on the trophy for a fourth time.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/02/09/harrington-mcginley-to-headline-thailand-open/
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