Asian Amateur Championship: Augusta Reward For Imperious Han


Shenzhen (November 1): Demonstrating the single-mindedness and poise that so often define Korean golfers, Han Chang-won fired a closing two-under-par 70 on Sunday to win the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship in resounding fashion at Mission Hills. Han’s 12-under-par 276 total over the World Cup Course was five shots better than runner-up and compatriot Eric Chun. Jump-started by an eagle-three at the second hole, Han added four birdies and built a commanding six-shot lead midway through the final nine (reaching 15-under) but succumbed to fantasies of the prize – berths in the US Masters Tournament and International Final Qualifying for the British Open Championship at St Andrews – that awaited the winner. As a result, he bogeyed three of the final five holes.

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Barclays Singapore Open: Choi Seeks To Continue Winning Ways


Singapore (October 28): Korean star KJ Choi has a new spring in his step coming into the Barclays Singapore Open that he hopes will propel him to back-to-back victories. The US-based Choi triumphed at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia last week, ending a frustrating 18-month winless spell. And with his confidence back, he is gunning for more glory, especially with Singapore being his last tournament of the year. “Obviously my confidence level is up after the win last week. I played in the pro-am today and I feel my shots are there at the moment and I feel good. I also received a lot of support from the fans and I have a lot of expectations,” said Choi, an Asian Tour honorary member.

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Stenson Selection A Sign Of Seve's Intent To Regain Royal Trophy


Bangkok (October 27): Seve Ballesteros has fired a warning shot at rival captain Naomichi 'Joe' Ozaki by making Henrik Stenson his first Royal Trophy nomination - and promising there will be plenty more powerful players and big names in his European Team. World number seven Stenson is a proven match play ace and the sort of heavy-hitter Europe lacked in Thailand this year when they crashed to a 10-6 defeat at the hands of Ozaki's fired-up Asian team. Swedish star Stenson will be making his third Royal Trophy appearance from January 8-10, and he boasts an impressive pedigree. He helped Europe to victory over Asia in 2006 and 2007, winning two-and-a-half points out of a possible three in his second Thailand outing.

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Mu And Ren Return To Their Roots In Bid For Masters Ticket


Hong Kong (October 25): American-based Mu Hu and Ren Han will spearhead the China challenge in next week's inaugural Asian Amateur Championship. Mu and Ren are among 12 mainland Chinese players in the starting line-up for the event which offers the winner a place in next year's Masters Tournament at Augusta National. The 117-player field will compete in the 72-hole stroke play event on the World Cup Course at Shenzhen's Mission Hills Golf Club from October 29 to November 1.

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Kuala Lumpur-Bound Nicklaus Reveals Key Management Moves


North Palm Beach (October 24): The Nicklaus Companies will move into the next decade and an exciting next era for the premier name in golf with some new faces and familiar names to lead the way. The Nicklaus Companies has announced that Gary Nicklaus, one of Jack Nicklaus’ four sons, has been appointed Vice Chairman, while Paul Stringer, who has spent the last six years helping establish Nicklaus Design’s global presence, will now oversee day-to-day operations of the world’s leading golf course design firm in his position as Executive Vice President. Stringer, a speaker at this week's Asia Pacific Golf Summit in Kuala Lumpur, takes over for Tim Kenny, who will serve as Executive Vice President of The NicklausMilstein Fund.

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Blossoming English Duo Sign Up For Sentosa Swing


Singapore (October 22): The talented English duo of Justin Rose and Chris Wood will add further star quality to the line-up for next week's Barclays Singapore Open which also includes multiple Major winners Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els. The US$5 million tournament at Sentosa Golf Club from October 29-November 1 is being co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the first time positioning it as an important stop on the new Race to Dubai. “Justin Rose draws crowds wherever he plays and Chris Wood is one of the most exciting young players on the circuit,” said Robert Morrice, Chairman and Chief Executive of Barclays Asia. “Their presence helps ensure the Barclays Singapore Open boasts the strongest field of any tournament in Asia so far this year.”

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