Titleist Introduces New Advanced Performance Irons


Singapore (September 23): Building upon the high technology design and resounding success of the original AP irons, Titleist is introducing two new high performance iron products for avid golfers. Available from mid-November, the new Titleist AP1 and AP2 are multi-material, dual cavity irons that take the design mission of 'Advanced Performance You Can Feel' to new heights. “The new AP1 and AP2 irons embody significant improvements in feel, forgiveness and shot control to what had already been recognised as a revolutionary step forward in iron design,” said Steve Pelisek, General Manager, Titleist Golf Clubs.

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Super Shin Stays On Track For Rare LPGA Double


San Diego (September 22): She may not have won the Samsung World Championship, but there's no denying that Shin Ji-yai continues to be the player to beat on this year's US LPGA Tour. With a third-place finish at last week's Samsung event at Torrey Pines, Shin not only maintained her lead in the Rolex Player of the Year race, but also significantly extended her advantage in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race. Should the diminutive 21-year-old Korean win these two honours, it would be the first time a player has claimed both accolades since Nancy Lopez did so in 1978.

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WGC’s Asian Leap Hailed As Golfing Landmark


Shanghai (September 21): That long-term rivals Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be competing side-by-side on Asian soil for the first time at November's WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai is another landmark moment for the sport. The addition of Asia’s first Major winner Yang Yong-Eun – also the only Asian to have won the HSBC Champions – into the world-class field adds to the sense that 2009 will go down in history as the year that Asian golf truly took a step onto the global stage. “This is the line in the sand,” said three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, another to have confirmed his place in the field at Sheshan International Golf Club.

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ANA Open: Victory Drought Is Over For Relieved Taniguchi


Sapporo (September 20): Toru Taniguchi may not have been entirely satisfied with his display, but he won't complain about a relatively stress-free Sunday stroll that saw him bring to an end a two-year victory drought. Five shots clear of the field going into the final round of the 110 million yen (about US$1.1 million) ANA Open, Taniguchi closed with an even-par 72. That gave him a 72-hole total of 16-under-par 272 and a four-shot triumph over the 7,063-yard Wattsu Course at the Sapporo Golf Club in Hokkaido Prefecture.

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Dramatic Ranking Rise For Bae And Thaworn


Singapore (September 16): Thaworn Wiratchant and Bae Sang-moon soared up the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) following their respective victories at the weekend. Thai veteran Thaworn rose 75 places on the back of his success in the Asian Tour’s Macau Open, while Korean youngster Bae Sang-moon climbed 54 slots as a result of his triumph in the OneAsia Super Series’ Kolon Hana Bank Korean Open. Thaworn, a former Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, has returned to the world’s top-200 in 193rd position, while Bae is up to 133rd, making him the fourth highest placed Korean in the standings.

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Title-Sponsor Drives Up Indian Open Prize Purse


Gurgaon (September 15): Hero Honda strengthened its commitment to professional golf on the Asian Tour by taking the prize purse to a new high of US$1.25 million for the Hero Honda Indian Open. That makes the Hero Honda Indian Open, the richest full field event on the Asian Tour. The tournament, in its 46th year, will be played at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon from October 8-11. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero Honda Motors Ltd, said: “We increased the prize money for the Hero Honda Indian Open to US$1 million last year and have increased it to US$1.25 million this year. Indian golf is looking up and is comparable to global standards today. By increasing the prize money it is our endeavour to have the best players in the field at the Indian Open.”

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