SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — The Asian Tour will welcome on board the long-established Shinhan Donghae Open on its Schedule in September to mark its return to Korea, officials announced today with thanks to a new co-sanctioning agreement with the Korean PGA.
Inaugurated in 1981, the KRW 1.2 billion (approximately US$1 million) tournament will be staged at the Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon from September 29 to October 2, 2016.
The Shinhan Donghae Open has been won by many of Korea’s top golf stars such as K.J. Choi, Charlie Wi, Sangmoon Bae and last year’s champion Byeonghun An while international luminaries on the roll of honour include England’s Paul Casey, Seiji Ebihara of Japan and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh. The event has featured on the Asian Tour previously in 2001 and 2002.
Supported by the Shinhan Financial Group, the Shinhan Donghae Open will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korean PGA.
Shinhan Financial Group Chairman and CEO, Dong Woo Han, said: “As a proud and long-time supporter of the development of golf, it is with pleasure and honour for our Group to further raise the stature of our flagship event, the Shinhan Donghae Open, through a new partnership with the Asian Tour and Korean PGA this year.
“Our well established tournament has been held successfully over the past three decades and it will be a wonderful opportunity for golf fans in Korea to watch the finest stars from the Asian Tour competing against the best players from Korea in September. With the Asian Tour’s involvement, our tournament will receive greater Official World Golf Ranking points which is a boost for the players.
“With a golfing history that stretches for over 30 years, 2016 will mark a truly new and exciting milestone for us. We are convinced that this year’s staging of the Shinhan Donghae Open will be its best ever yet.”
Asian Tour Media, the joint venture company by the Asian Tour and IMG, will work in co-production with host broadcaster and Asian Tour licensee, JTBC Golf to produce Live and Highlights television content during the four days of tournament rounds.
The broadcasts will ensure extensive global exposure for the event and sponsors through the Asian Tour’s platform which has a potential reach of 180 countries and territories and 740 million homes worldwide.
Asian Tour Commissioner Kyi Hla Han lauded the return of the Tour to Korea following a lapse of two years, saying the addition of the Shinhan Donghae Open was a significant development for the game in Asia.
“On behalf of our members, I would like to express our gratitude to the Shinhan Financial Group for inviting the Asian Tour to be a part of its prestigious Shinhan Donghae Open,” said Han.
“Those in the golfing circles will readily acknowledge the Shinhan Donghae Open is one of Korea’s premier golf tournaments. We are also delighted to return to Korea to showcase the talents of our eclectic membership, which comprises of golfers from over 20 different nationalities.
“The Tour is also thankful to the Korean PGA, who has been a strong partner of the Asian Tour. Both organisations share the common goal and vision to promote the game at the highest level while also creating playing opportunities for our members. Working together at the Shinhan Donghae Open will strengthen our partnership.”
Korean PGA Chairman Hwee Boo Yang said: “We look forward to welcoming back the Asian Tour to Korea as it has been over two years since it was involved with professional golf in our country.
“I would like to express our fullest appreciation to Shinhan Financial Group for its sterling support of golf in Korea and Asia and I am sure the Korean golfers will be very eager to compete well against the stars from the Asian Tour.”
