Macao, 14 October 2013: Thongchai Jaidee, widely regarded as the Asian Tour’s most successful player, will lead a strong group of Thai players to compete at this year’s Venetian Macao Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the Asian Tour, which begins this Thursday.

Joining Thongchai to grace the fairways of the picturesque Macao Golf & Country Club include, amongst others, 2012 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner and 2009 Macao Open champion Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng, Arnond Vongvanij, Prom Meesawat and Thitiphun Chuayprakong. The talented Thitiphunwas tied-third last year as he emerged as Thailand’s top finisher at the tournament.

With three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns, the 43-year-old Thongchai is one of the most consistent Asian players on the tour. The Lop Buri native has 13 Asian Tour wins to his name since turning professional in 1999 and returned to Macao for the first time in 11 years last year where he finished a credible tied eighth place.

“I didn’t play in Macao for a very long time and decided last year I would come back and I really enjoyed myself. The Venetian Macao Open is a truly magnificent event that is played on a beautiful course. The players are really well looked after and the weather is usually great around this time of the year, so I am looking forward to it. I have had a solid year and am confident I will do well in Macao. I hope I am able to put myself in a position to challenge for the title on the Sunday,” said Thongchai, who won the ISPS Handa Wales Open last year.

The 46-year-old Thaworn is a two-time Order of Merit winner (2005 and 2012) but failed to make the cut at the Venetian Macao Open 12 months ago. However, he is in the middle of a good run of form that includes a win at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship last month which was a record 16^th career title and will hope to put up a good showing in Macao.

Jointly organised by Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government (MSDB) and Golf Association of Macao, the tournament is sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, and promoted by IMG. Following a successful foray into the world of golf last year, The Venetian^® Macao-Resort-Hotel has returned as title sponsor of the event for a second successive year.

The Venetian Macao Open will once again be a free entry event for golf fans from around the world to enjoy live world class professional golf in one of the best loved destinations for leisure and business travel in Asia.

Since its inauguration in 1998, the tournament has been graced by the presence of some of the best golfers the world has ever seen, including Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara. This year’s event boasts a total prize fund of US$800,000, an increase of 6.7% compared to last year.

Sponsors joining The Venetian Macao in support of the tournament include Rolex, Srixon, Air Macao, Blue Girl and Bonaqua, as well as first time sponsors Lamborghini, Maui Jim, Subway, Hytera and Hong Kong Descente, which carries both the Le Coq Sportif Golf Collection and Munsingwear.

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit www.thevenetianmacauopen.com