Bangkok--5 Jan--CPN
The third edition of the Royal Trophy is set for a grand tee-off on January 6, 2009 with the attendance of European Team Captain and two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and Asian Team Captain and 35-time tournament title winner Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki.
In addition to the two legendary Captains, two players of each of the European and Asian Teams will also participate at the official opening of the Royal Trophy which will be staged in a provisionally built ‘Heineken Par 3 Hole’ at CentralWorld Square in downtown Bangkok. The unique golf venue will be set-up in record time and feature a four hundred square meter putting green located about one hundred and twenty yards from the tee box.
The six participating professional golfers will deliver the opening shots in a three head-to-head match format with two matches played between the players and the Captains facing-off in the final encounter. Each match will decide the Captains’ player naming order for the foursomes, four-ball and singles draw which will take place later in the week.
The Royal Trophy Ceremonial Opening Shots will be played on a ‘closest to the pin’ format with the Captains and players facing a pressure packed wedge tee-shot requiring great accuracy. The Captains and players will face a narrow delivery with one of the Bangkok’s busiest streets to their right side and Southeast Asia’s largest shopping complex on the left.
“Striking the Opening Shot at the Royal Trophy in such a unique setting will definitely be exciting and interesting. It will be a truly unique test of concentration and focus as we will be right in the middle of downtown Bangkok;” said the Spaniard Olazabal.
“I am sure that the fans attending will have a great time seeing Joe Ozaki, the four players and I delivering our shots from such a close distance. I am also very much looking forward to meeting the fans in Thailand;” added Olazabal, one of the greatest Ryder Cup players of all time.
Following the Ceremonial Opening Shots the two Captains and their respective players will make their way through the over 1,000 square meter Royal Trophy Entertainment Village meeting the fans and taking photographs.
The Royal Trophy Ceremonial Opening Shot will take place on Tuesday January 6, 2009 at 4:30pm at CentralWorld Square. Admission is free. For special privileged access visit TheRoyalTrophy.com.