Shenzhen, China: World number two Bubba Watson will headline next month’s inaugural US$2.5 million Shenzhen International.
The two-time Major champion will be the star attraction in the European Tour-sanctioned tournament at Genzon Golf Club from April 16–19.
Watson is no stranger to competing in China having won in Shanghai in dramatic style at the end of last year. Watson eagled the 72nd hole of the WGC HSBC Champions to force a play-off with South African Tim Clark. He then birdied the first extra hole to take the title.
Speaking about his participation in the Shenzhen International, Watson said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to come back to China and compete in a new tournament.
“I offer my congratulations to Genzon Golf Club for bringing a world-class tournament to the city of Shenzhen and for the contribution that the Shenzhen International will make to the further development of golf throughout southern China. I look forward to arriving in Shenzhen next month and playing my part in a bit of history-making.
“My season’s got off to a pretty solid start and I managed a third place finish at the recent WGC Cadillac Championship but I’m still looking for a first win in 2015. I’ll be doing my very best to make it a triple at the Masters, but back-to-back wins in China would be pretty special too!” added Watson.
Fei Hai-long, General Manager of Genzon Golf Club, said: “At the launch of this tournament we made a promise that the first edition of the Shenzhen International will feature world-class players, and we kept that promise.
“Bubba Watson is not only a world class golfer but someone whose appeal transcends the sport.
“With his impressive driving distances, extraordinary charisma and legions of fans around the world, Bubba’s participation in the tournament sends a very strong message to the international golfing community about just how serious we are about establishing the Shenzhen International as one of the region’s leading elite golf tournaments.
“Additionally his presence at the Shenzhen International will enable golf fans in Shenzhen, Guangdong and throughout China to witness his remarkable skills first hand.
“The Shenzhen International is a tournament named after its host city name. One of our aims for this tournament is to promote the city of Shenzhen and showcase both the growth of Shenzhen over the last 30 years, as well as the role it plays as a window to the world in southern China.
“To have a world star of Bubba Watson’s calibre coming to our tournament will undoubtedly echo throughout China’s golf industry and draw attention from around the world to the city and its status as a world-class golf destination.”
The Shenzhen International will be played at Genzon Golf Club and contested over 72 holes of stroke play, featuring a cut after two rounds.
With a field comprising 100 players from the European Tour, 50 players from the China Golf Association and six sponsor invites, the tournament will be played the week after the year’s first Major, the Masters Tournament.
The event is promoted by International Management Group, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.