JAKARTA, June 18: Japan’s Shingo Katayama, one of the most successful and colourful players in the world game, will make his OneAsia debut at next month’s Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta.Stetson-wearing Katayama, dubbed the “Cat in the Hat”, has been Japan’s number one on five occasions and has won 26 events on the lucrative circuit during a brilliant career.
The Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta will be played at the award-winning Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course from July 1 to 4 and boast prize money of US$1 million.
“I am looking forward to playing the Indonesia Open, my first event on OneAsia,” said the 37 year old. “I have heard a lot of good things about the event and the course at Damai Indah Golf.
“I enjoy playing outside of Japan and want to put on a show for all my fans in Indonesia.”
Katayama, world ranked 87th, has made a roaring start to the season on the Japan Tour with three top-five finishes and is currently ranked 10th on the Order of Merit.
He has a penchant for low scoring and has three 62s on his resume and has shot nine birdies in a single round nine times.
His ability to close out tournaments has helped him amass a total of US$17.3 million in prize money since his first Japan Tour victory in 1998.
“I have enjoyed a lot of success in Japan but I will be breaking new ground at the Indonesia Open,” he said. “It would be wonderful to come away with a win.”
Katayama will be looking to join a gallery of greats who have lifted the Indonesia Open title.
“Shingo Katayama is famous the world over for being one of the top Japanese golfers who likes to compete overseas. He is sure to draw the crowds at the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta and is truly a welcome addition to the tournament,” said His Excellency Dr. Ing H. Fauzi Bowo, Governor of Jakarta.
The tournament was first played in 1974 when the legendary Ben Arda of the Philippines was crowned champion.
Arda, the first Filipino to compete in the Masters, was followed into the winner’s circle by several high-profile players including American Payne Stewart (1981) and Frank Nobilo from New Zealand (1994 and 1997).
Mikko Ilonen of Finland lifted the silverware the last time it was played at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course in 2007.
The Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta will be the fifth leg of burgeoning OneAsia, which will stage 11 tournaments with a total of more than US$12 million in prize money this season.
The event will be showcased on OneAsia's television platform with live coverage for four hours a day across all four tournament days, and broadcast to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.
About OneAsia
OneAsia is a non-profit organisation developed to maximize elite tournament opportunities in Asia-Pacific. The Founding members of OneAsia are the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour, the Korea Golf Association and the PGA of Australia. The mission of OneAsia is not just to allow the region's best players to gain access to more events, but to ultimately provide them with an alternative pathway to the PGA Tour and the European Tour, thus retaining the best golfing talent in the region without compromising their development.
For more information, please contact:
Janice Lee Fang
PR & Media Manager - OneAsia
DID: +65 6236 0362
Mobile: +65 8268 8155
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Simon Wilson
Media Manager - World Sport Group
Phone: +65 6826 2688
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