Chengdu, 7 April 2011 - The 2011 Volvo China Open received a major boost this week with the news that Korean star Y.E. Yang will defend the title he won last year and try to make history by becoming the first player ever to successfully defend his title.
Having won the Volvo China Open at Jinji lake International Golf Club in Suzhou after a 24-hour intercontinental dash from the Masters at Augusta last year, Yang will enjoy a more relaxed journey to China with a week of rest in between from the first Major championship of the season.
Yang won by two shots over Welsh pair, the youngster Rhys Davies and 2004 Volvo China Open champion Stephen Dodd in a star-studded top 10 that also included Swedes Johan Edfors and Henrik Stenson, Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and Graeme McDowell, who was to go on to win three times in 2010, including his first Major title, the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach.
Said Yang immediately following his triumph last year, “It was quite important for me to win," adding, “I know that this win won't abolish all those doubts, but I think it will alleviate me of some of the pressure and unseen pressure those doubters have been throwing at me."
But the pressure of defending the title he won 12-months-ago is on.
“It is always important that a player defends any title he wins, out of respect for the championship and its sponsors, so I am pleased to be returning to China where I have already won twice.”
“I know the Volvo China Open title has never been successfully defended, but there is a first time for everything,” he said with tongue-in-cheek. "At least I can take my time going to China following the Masters, unlike last year where it was touch-and-go whether I would make it on time.”
Yang is best known for being Asia's first Major winner. He has won two OneAsia titles thus far, including last year's 53rd Kolon Korea Open which saw him taking a surprise two-stroke victory over young compatriot Noh Seung-yul at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan.
"That tournament was defined by patience, perseverance and a lot of luck. It gave me back a lot of confidence after months of struggling with my timing," he had said.
“To have come back from the brink of worrying about missing the cut and win was just great.”
Yang will also return to defend his title at the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca CortesÃn from 19th – 22nd May.
The Volvo China Open, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the European Tour, will take place over the JMP-designed 7,335-yard layout at Luxehills International Country Club in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The event this year offers a record prize fund of RMB20 million (approx US$3 million), with the Champion receiving a cheque for RMB3.3 million (approx US$500,000).
All events 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 400 million homes in more than 40 countries.
For more information please visit www.volvochinaopen.com or contact media@oneasia.asia.
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