Korean hero Yang Yong Eun will make an emotional return to his birthplace after being unveiled as the first star player in the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship.

Asia’s first Major winner will be teeing it up with a host of other world-class players when the €2.1 million event is staged at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju – the island of his birth – from 22-25 April.

And in another huge boost for the tournament, Ballantine’s has announced it is extending its title sponsorship by three years through to the 2013 event.

Yang, who appeared at the tournament’s launch press conference in Seoul today (27 October), will be making his first playing appearance in Jeju since his PGA Championship triumph in August.

“I’m delighted to be appearing in what promises to be a fantastic Ballantine’s Championship next April,” he said.

“Not only am I looking forward to playing, it will also be a chance for me to thank the Korean fans who have given me such incredible support during my career. It will be a real honour to play in front of them as Asia’s first Major winner.

“It is especially pleasing that the tournament is once again being held at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju, the island of my birth. It is going to be a very special homecoming for me and I hope to give a performance to match.

“It is also tremendous news that Ballantine’s has signed a three-year title sponsorship extension. It is tournaments like this, with world class players and significant support from the business world, that help the golf boom in Korea and ensure more young players come through to play on the big stage.”

Yang made history two months ago when he fended off the challenge of world No.1 Tiger Woods to clinch the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, by three shots. In doing so, he denied Woods his 15th Major success and dented the American’s previously perfect record of turning 14 third-round Major leads into victories.

It was Yang’s second success of the year on US soil. In March he shot a final-round two-under-par 68 to win the Honda Classic by one stroke over John Rollins for his first PGA Tour victory.

He first leapt into the global spotlight in 2006 when he held off an elite field, including the impressive chasing pack of Major winners Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen and Woods, to win the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

“We are delighted to secure Yang for the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship, having just extended the sponsorship deal for another three years,” commented Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of brand owner Chivas Brothers.

“His signing symbolises the growing synergy between Ballantine’s and golf in Korea, and marks our commitment to drive the collaboration between Ballantine’s and golf forward.”

Yang is just the first of many star names the organisers expect to confirm in the build-up to the 2010 tournament.

The Ballantine’s Championship, the first European Tour event to be played in Korea and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korea PGA, will return to Pinx Golf Club for the third successive year.

The inaugural tournament in 2008 was won by Northern Irish star Graeme McDowell, who beat India’s Jeev Milkha Singh on the third extra hole of a thrilling playoff.

Last year’s tournament also went to a playoff, with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee sinking a six-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to edge out Spain’s Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and Korean youngster Kang Sung Hoon.

“These are boom times for Asian golf in general and Korean golf in particular,” said Martin Capstick, managing director of event promoter Parallel Media Group. “Yang is an iconic figure in his home country and his appearance in the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship will be a great chance for fans to welcome him back and watch him in action.

“And it is fantastic news that Ballantine’s are extending their title sponsorship for three years beyond next year’s event. While much has been said in the media about the current global economic climate and sponsorship in sport, their commitment to the event and Korean golf is there for all to see.

“The Ballantine’s Championship has been a huge success story to date and we look forward to that continuing for many years to come.”

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Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

World No.4 Paul Casey and the man just one place below him in the rankings, Lee Westwood, have both been confirmed for next month’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

The English pair will be joined in the US$2.5 million showpiece by compatriot Ian Poulter – currently 21st in the world – and Northern Irish star Darren Clarke.

The quartet – all Ryder Cup winners – boast an astonishing 49 European Tour titles between them.

They join a stellar UBS Hong Kong Open line-up that already includes Asia’s first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun of Korea, defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

As world No.4, Casey will be the highest ranked player to appear in the historic tournament since the Official World Golf Ranking system was introduced in 1986.

“The UBS Hong Kong Open is not only a wonderful and historic tournament in its own right, it is also pivotal in the 2009 Race To Dubai, so it promises to be a very exciting week,” said Casey, who has 10 European Tour victories.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to win two European Tour events in China in the past so hopefully I can reproduce that sort of form for the galleries in Hong Kong.

“I know the UBS Hong Kong Open organisers are putting together a great field so I think the fans can look forward to some tremendous golf.”

Casey enjoyed a sensational first half of 2009 with three huge victories in the Abu Dhabi Championship, the Shell Houston Open – his first win on the US PGA Tour – and the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship.

He was sidelined by a rib injury at the beginning of August but has been given the all-clear to return to action next week.

Westwood has enjoyed plenty of success in Asia with victories in Japan, Malaysia and Macau but will be making his first appearance in Hong Kong.

His success at last week’s Portugal Masters took his European Tour victory total to 19 and elevated him to the position of world No.5.

It also lifted him above McIlroy into top spot in the European Tour’s Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,241,940.

“I’m delighted to be playing in the UBS Hong Kong Open for the first time,” said Westwood. “I’ve heard great things about the tournament from the other players and it promises to be a fantastic week.

“I understand Fanling is a tight, old-style course that places a lot of emphasis on accuracy so hopefully it will suit my game and I can put on a good show for the fans. Asia has been kind to me in the past and it would be wonderful if I could post another victory in the region.”

With Westwood leading the Race To Dubai ahead of McIlroy, and Casey still in fourth place despite his injury layoff, the stage is set for a showdown between the trio in Hong Kong.

Poulter, who has enjoyed success in Asia before with a win in Japan two years ago, will come to Hong Kong in search of his eighth European Tour victory.

“It’s been five years since I played in Hong Kong so I’m looking forward to returning,” he said. “I remember it as a great city, one of the best stops on the European Tour, and the tournament organisation and hospitality are fantastic.

“I know winning will be tough but, hopefully, I’ll be playing well enough to be in the mix on the back nine on Sunday.”

Clarke has won 13 times on the European Tour and came agonisingly close to the Hong Kong Open title six years ago when he finished equal third behind winner Padraig Harrington.

“I have fond memories of Fanling from when I played there in 2003,” he said. “I had a great tournament but unfortunately Padraig was a little too strong for all of us that week. If I can find the same level of play this time, I’ll be very happy.”

Chi-Won Yoon, Chairman and CEO of UBS Asia Pacific, hailed the latest star player confirmations.

“Hong Kong golf fans will be thrilled to hear that Paul Casey, the world No.4, Lee Westwood, twice third in the Majors this year, and Ian Poulter will be joining us for the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open,” he said.

“All three are among today’s top golfers and will give players such as YE Yang, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Lin Wen Tang a run for their money next month at Fanling.”

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

The tournament has been won by nine Major champions: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Orville Moody, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, José María Olazábal and Harrington.

This year’s UBS Hong Kong Open is the penultimate ranking event on the European Tour schedule, taking place a week before the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

With only the top 60 golfers on the European Tour money list eligible to play in Dubai, the Hong Kong event has assumed even greater significance with players scrambling to secure their spot in the season finale.

The Open is the third-last event counting towards the Order of Merit on the 2009 Asian Tour calendar.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Rahil Gangjee will be looking to end a difficult year on a high after booking his place in next month’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

The Indian star secured one of three spots in the US$2.5 million showpiece when the international qualifying tournament was finally completed today (21 October) after being suspended on Tuesday due to bad weather at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor, Malaysia.

Gangjee posted a five-under-par 67 in the one-round shootout and was joined on that total by Thailand’s Udorn Duangdecha and Nick Redfern of England as all three secured their places in the main draw.

The trio finished one shot clear of South African Jbe Kruger, Thailand’s Sattaya Supupramai – one of last year’s successful qualifiers – and Chang Tse Peng of Chinese Taipei.

Gangjee, 31, was considered one of India’s rising stars when he burst on the Asian Tour scene in 2004. But he has struggled with his game in the past two years and has posted just one top-10 finish this season.

He will have his chance on the big stage again when the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open is held at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

The world-class field will be spearheaded by Korean ace Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia’s first Major winner when he triumphed at the US PGA Championship in August.

Also in the line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

The tournament – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Four Hong Kong professionals – William Fung, Lokky Lee, Chris Tang and Derek Fung – booked their UBS Hong Kong Open places at last week’s domestic qualifying tournament.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Yasin Ali is hoping history repeats itself as he bids to book a return ticket to the UBS Hong Kong Open.

The talented Briton will tee off in the international qualifying tournament on Tuesday (20 October) at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor, Malaysia buoyed by the fact he won the corresponding event last year.

Yasin faces a tough task in the one-round shootout with dozens of seasoned professionals chasing three spots in the US$2.5 million Hong Kong showpiece.

The field includes two players – Scotland’s Simon Yates and Adam Groom of Australia – who have made an impact at previous Hong Kong Opens.

Yates shot a course-record 61 in the third round of the 2005 tournament on his way to finishing 10th.

A year earlier, Groom led after the first round – heading a stellar field that included Padraig Harrington, David Howell and eventual winner Miguel Angel Jiménez – before settling for joint 12th position.

Sattaya Supupramai of Thailand, who won a three-way playoff to grab the third qualifying slot a year ago, is in the Palm Resort line-up again.

Other notable names due to tee off include Malaysia’s Danny Chia, Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit and Martin Rominger of Switzerland.

Four Hong Kong professionals – William Fung, Lokky Lee, Chris Tang and Derek Fung – booked their UBS Hong Kong Open places at last week’s domestic qualifying tournament.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

The world class field will be spearheaded by Korean ace Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia’s first Major winner when he triumphed at the US PGA Championship in August.

Also in the line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

The tournament – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Golden oldie William Fung will make his UBS Hong Kong Open debut at the age of 52 after winning the domestic qualifying tournament today (16 October).

The veteran teaching pro finished two shots clear of the field at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course to book his place in next month’s US$2.5 million showpiece.

“It’s a dream come true,” said an emotional Fung. “I can’t believe it. I thought this was my last chance to qualify and now I’ve done it. I’m very happy.”

Fung can look forward to teeing it up with some of the world’s best players at the UBS Hong Kong Open, including Asia’s first Major winner Yang Yong Eun, defending champion Lin Wen Tang and current European Tour Race To Dubai leader Rory McIlroy.

With four places in the main draw up for grabs in the two-day qualifying tournament, Fung carded a one-over-par 73 to finish on one-over 145, two strokes clear of fellow pro Lokky Lee (74).

A three-way playoff decided the remaining two places, with Chris Tang (76) and Derek Fung (73) beating Roderick Staunton (71) at the first extra hole after the trio had finished on 148.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

The tournament – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

The qualifying tournament was held in conjunction with the Hong Kong leg of the UBS-supported Faldo Series Asia.

Talented 16-year-old Steven Lam blitzed the field with an 11-under total of 133 and was followed home by Liu Lok Tin as both players booked their places in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club, hosted by six-time Major winner Nick Faldo, next March.

Lam has already qualified for the UBS Hong Kong Open as winner of the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship last January.

An exemption will also be granted to the winner of the Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship at Discovery Bay Golf Club on 3-6 November.

The UBS Hong Kong Open International Qualifier will be held at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on 20 October.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Memories of how Jason Hak took the golf world by storm 12 months ago will spur on competitors at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open Qualifying Tournament.

The talented teenager seized his chance last year when he qualified for the main draw and went on to become the youngest player ever to make the cut at a European Tour event.

A total of 42 Hong Kong players will be aiming to emulate Hak when the qualifying tournament is held this Thursday and Friday (15-16 October) at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course.

“It is a fantastic chance for Hong Kong players to rub shoulders with some of the best golfers in the world,” said Hong Kong Golf Association chief executive Iain Valentine.

“Jason showed how to do it last year when he came through the qualifying tournament and then raised his game to a whole new level at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

“I’m sure the memory of his astonishing achievement last year will be the perfect encouragement for the players at Kau Sai Chau this week.”

Hak – born in Hong Kong and now resident in Florida – sent shockwaves through the golf world when he carded two rounds of even-par 70 to make the cut at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

At 14 years and 304 days, he eclipsed the European Tour record set by Sergio Garcia of Spain, who was 15 years and 46 days when he made the cut at the Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia in 1995.

Hak has no requirement to compete at Kau Sai Chau this time as he has received an exemption into the main draw from title sponsor UBS.

The field – comprising 25 professionals and 17 amateurs – will play two rounds as they chase four slots in the US$2.5 million showpiece.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

The world class field will be spearheaded by Korean ace Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia’s first Major winner when he triumphed at the US PGA Championship in August.

Also in the line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

The qualifying tournament is being held in conjunction with the Hong Kong leg of the UBS-supported Faldo Series Asia.

Six teenagers will be chasing the two places up for grabs in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club, hosted by six-time Major winner Nick Faldo, next March.

Three of the players – Terrence Ng, 15, Charles Stone, 17, and 16-year-old Liu Lok Tin – are also eligible for the qualifying tournament.

Another of Hong Kong’s top youngsters, 16-year-old Steven Lam, is taking part in the Faldo Series Asia only as he has already qualified for the UBS Hong Kong Open as winner of the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship last January.

An exemption will also be granted to the winner of the Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship at Discovery Bay Golf Club on 3-6 November.

The UBS Hong Kong Open International Qualifier will be held at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on 20 October.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Tiger tamer Yang Yong Eun will spearhead a world class field at next month’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

The Korean ace – who became Asia’s first Major winner when he triumphed at the US PGA Championship in August – has confirmed his participation in the US$2.5 million showpiece.

Also in the stellar line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

Flying the flag for Hong Kong will be talented teenager Jason Hak, who created history at the 2008 Open by becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut in a European Tour event.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

Yang is relishing the chance to play in Hong Kong after his PGA Championship heroics, when he hunted down world No.1 Tiger Woods and beat him by three shots.

“Being Asia’s first Major winner is a dream come true for me and it is an honour to play in front of the Asian fans who have always shown such passionate support for the sport and its players,” said Yang.

“I’m very much looking forward to the UBS Hong Kong Open as it is a tournament with a rich history and great tradition.

“I’m aware that nine of the previous Hong Kong Open winners have been Major champions and I will be doing my very best at Fanling next month to be the 10th player to achieve that feat.”

The PGA Championship was Yang’s second success of the year on US soil – in March he claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic.

He first leapt into the global spotlight in 2006 when he held off an elite field, including the impressive chasing pack of Major winners Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen and Woods, to win the Champions tournament in Shanghai.

Hong Kong fans will be eager to see Lin and McIlroy in action again after the duo traded incredible shots in last year’s playoff before Lin triumphed with a birdie on the second extra hole.

“Last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open provided the highlight of my career to date,” said Lin, who attended the 2009 tournament launch press conference today (8 October) at the UBS offices in Hong Kong.

“To win such an important tournament was a fantastic moment for me and to do it in such an exciting playoff only added to the thrill.

“Naturally I have fond memories of Fanling. It is a picturesque golf course but also a testing one with the emphasis on accuracy and skill. And the support from the fans is fantastic – the atmosphere on the final day last year was just incredible. I’m delighted to be returning.”

Lin will be heading to Hong Kong on a high after claiming the fifth Asian Tour victory of his career in last week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Following his near miss at Fanling, McIlroy claimed his breakthrough European Tour victory in February this year with a wire-to-wire success in the Dubai Desert Classic. He has gone on to enjoy an outstanding season with numerous top 10 finishes, including tied 10th at the US Open and tied third at the US PGA Championship.

He currently leads the European Tour’s Race To Dubai standings with season earnings of more than €2 million after finishing joint second at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

“Although I unfortunately came up just short last year, playing in Hong Kong was a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed four days of great golf,” said McIlroy, still only 20. “It will be a strong field once again and I’ll be doing my utmost to go one better this time.”

Hak – born in Hong Kong and now resident in Florida – sent shockwaves through the golf world when he carded two rounds of even-par 70 to make the cut at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

At 14 years and 304 days, he eclipsed the European Tour record set by Sergio Garcia of Spain, who was 15 years and 46 days when he made the cut at the Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia in 1995.

“Playing in my first UBS Hong Kong Open last year was an awesome experience and making the cut simply added to a brilliant week for me,” said Hak. “It was great to be playing alongside such world-class players and I’m looking forward to returning this year.”

Chi -Won Yoon, Chairman and CEO, UBS Asia Pacific, welcomed the quartet of players to the 2009 tournament. “We at UBS are counting the days until the opening of the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open which this year promises to be the best ever,” he said.

“We’re delighted to confirm world class players such as YE Yang, who defeated Tiger Woods in August to become the first Asian to win a Major tournament, Lin Wen Tang and Rory McIlroy, who last year enthralled fans across Asia with their playoff duel, and the young Hong Kong star, Jason Hak, who last year, at 14, became the youngest player in the history of the European Tour to make the cut into the third and fourth rounds of the tournament.

“We’ll see them all at Fanling come November 12th. Please join us for what promises to be another spectacular UBS Hong Kong Open.’

The Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

The tournament has been won by nine Major champions: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Orville Moody, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, José María Olazábal and Padraig Harrington.

This year’s UBS Hong Kong Open is the penultimate ranking event on the European Tour schedule, taking place a week before the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

With only the top 60 golfers on the European Tour money list eligible to play in Dubai, the Hong Kong event has assumed even greater significance with players scrambling to secure their spot in the season finale.

The Open is the third-last event counting towards the Order of Merit on the 2009 Asian Tour calendar.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.