Macau: Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thai Thongchai Jaidee will lock horns once more at October’s US$900,000 Venetian Macau Open.
The two veterans captained their respective continents to a dramatic tie at this year’s inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.
Jimenez and Thongchai are both multiple winners on the European and Asian Tours with no fewer than 36 titles between them. Both have won already this year.
In May, Jimenez claimed his national Open, the Open de Espana for the first time in 27 attempts, in the process breaking his own record as the oldest winner on the European Tour at 50 years and 133 days. Not to be outdone, Thongchai clinched his second title on European soil at June’s Nordea Masters, fending off Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher in a play-off.
A four-time winner of the Hong Kong Open (2004, 2007, 2012 and 2013), this will be Jimenez’s debut at the Macau Golf and Country Club (October 23-26).
He said: “I love playing in Asia and I’ve enjoyed great success in the region. I am excited about coming to Macau and playing the event for the first time. I have heard a lot of great reviews of the tournament from my fellow pros, how much fun the city is and how beautiful the course is. It is time for me to experience it all first hand.”
Jimenez, currently ranked 27th in the world, added: “There is a great field of international and Asian golfers assembled, not to mention old friends like Thongchai and Ernie (Els). I really look forward to playing with Thongchai again. He is one of the best players in Asia and it is always enjoyable to play alongside players like him. ”
Thongchai, aged 44 and ranked 33rd in the world, is a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner (2001, 2004 and 2009) with 13 Asian Tour wins on his CV since he turned professional in 1999.
“The Venetian Macau Open is one of the most popular events on the Asian Tour and I really enjoyed myself here,” said Thongchai, who finished 16th last year. “Macau is a great place to come and play golf. Fantastic city, picturesque golf course and a competitive field. I am excited that Miguel will be joining the field this year.”
The Venetian Macau Open is jointly organised by Macau Sport Development Board of Macau SAR Government (MSDB) and Golf Association of Macau.  It is sanctioned by both the Asian Tour and the Golf Association of Macau, and promoted by IMG. The Venetian Macao is the title sponsor of the event for a third successive year.
Since its inauguration in 1998, the tournament has been graced by the likes of Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara.