The King’s Cup, which returns to the Asian Tour schedule from July 28 to 31 this year, will be jointly sanctioned by the European Tour in return for 25 spots for its players at the Phoenix Gold Golf Club in Pattaya.
The King’s Cup last featured on the Asian Tour in 2014 when Thai great Thaworn Wiratchant claimed a record 18th title.
Asian Tour Commissioner Kyi Hla Han said: “The Asian Tour and our talented players look forward to returning to Thailand for the King’s Cup. This is a fantastic development for golf as it reinforces the growing strength of the game in Asia.”
“Since the beginning of this year, the Asian Tour has already welcomed back tournaments in Singapore, Myanmar and Korea and also launched a new tournament in Japan. With the King’s Cup now featuring on our 2016 schedule, it will provide further playing opportunities for our members, especially with the Olympic Games being held a few weeks after the tournament.
“We are also delighted to co-sanction the King’s Cup with The European Tour. I believe this will strengthen what is already a highly regarded and prestigious golf tournament,” he added.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to be adding another tournament to the schedule, which gives those European Tour members not playing in the USPGA Championship an opportunity to compete that week. We had a very successful visit to Thailand in February. It’s a wonderful country with some of the most warm, welcoming people in the world, so we are very much looking forward to returning for the King’s Cup.”
“We have long enjoyed a very successful relationship with the Asian Tour, and adding a new co-sanctioned event to our schedule is another positive step forward.”
The field for the King’s Cup will comprise of 90 players from the Asian Tour, 25 from the European Tour and 25 from Thailand PGA. Prize money earned from the tournament will count towards the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and also on the Race to Dubai ranking on the European Tour.
The King’s Cup will be the second tournament in Thailand to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour following the staging of the True Thailand Classic earlier this season. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) will support the King’s Cup once again as a major sponsor.
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