DALLAS and SINGAPORE – April 27, 2011 – One World Sports has acquired the North American rights to the OneAsia golf tour (OneAsia) in 2011, 2012 and 2013 under terms of an agreement with World Sport Group, the exclusive media and marketing partner of OneAsia. One World Sports will present all OneAsia tournaments exclusively in English on television, broadband and mobile.
Launched in 2009, OneAsia features the top golfers from Asia. It was founded by the Korea Golf Tour, the Korea Golf Association, the China Golf Association, and the PGA of Australia. Thirteen events will be held in 2011 with each featuring at least US$1 million prize money.
The 2011 OneAsia schedule began with the Indonesian PGA Championship on March 24 to March 27 and culminates at the Championships from December 8 to December 11. Here is a schedule of the events and championships:
The acquisition of the OneAsia golf follows One World Sports’ successful television coverage of the 2010 OneAsia tour. Each day’s action will be covered live, with one-hour highlights of each day’s action presented in the evening.
“OneAsia golf is an exciting addition to our multi-screen coverage of the top sports from Asia,” said Preston Bornman, President, One Media Corp, parent company of One World Sports. “Cable and satellite distributors want multiplatform sports offerings, and our approach to the OneAsia Tour allows Korean, Chinese and Australian viewers, as well as all golf sports enthusiasts, to never miss a stroke. OneAsia features Asia’s best golfers playing in fantastic locations that will provide all golfers and sports fans with new ideas about places to visit in Asia.”
"OneAsia is absolutely delighted to have One World Sports on board our TV platform once again this year," said Ben Sellenger, Chief Executive, OneAsia. "The channel's wide reach will provide our players with exposure across America which will assist in making them more relevant to the international golf market and to fans on the other side of the globe."
“Live coverage from Asia on TV, Broadband and Mobile devices is a strength that One World Sports demonstrated successfully earlier this year with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011,” said Mark Hardess, President, ASEAN and Australia, World Sport Group. “We know that American sports fans want the flexibility to watch Asia’s top sports events live on any device anywhere, and One World Sports has proven its ability to deliver that convenience and choice.”
Live and delayed coverage will be available on One World Sports television and OneSportsPLUS.com Broadband. Mobile video coverage will be available on Verizon Wireless VCAST.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Birthday Joy For Westwood
With his 33rd career title, Westwood who celebrated his 38th birthday today, also regained his world number one ranking from Martin Kaymer after Luke Donald lost in a play-off in the United States later in the day. Donald would have topped the rankings for the first time with a victory at the Heritage Tournament which he led going into the last round.
“This will definitely be the most memorable birthday for me,” said the Englishman, who won US$118,875.
Westwood was forced to return to the clubhouse with one more hole to play as the fourth round at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club was suspended at 1.40pm due to lightning for approximately one hour and five minutes.
He returned to par the last hole to close with a solid three-under-par 69 for a 19-under-par 269 total to win the inaugural Asian Tour event by three strokes.
A fast charging Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand fired a flawless 65 to settle for second while Asian Tour newcomers Park Hyun-bin of Korea and Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand shared third place with Bangladeshi Siddikur and Australian Marcus Both on 275.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Youth and Sport Minister Andi Alifian Mallarangeng were in attendance at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Westwood, who held a five-stroke lead going into the final day, was even-par for the day after nine holes which allowed the field to narrow the gap but sparked into life when he holed a difficult birdie putt on the 11th hole.
“Yeah, that was probably the hardest putt I had all day. It was 15 feet and had a three feet break on it. I birdied the next with two good shots and played solidly. I managed to pick up a few shots and birdied the 16 from four feet. I was quite comfortable after that,” said Westwood, Europe's number one in 2000 and 2009.
He said he had done everything he could do to regain the world number one ranking, which he held for 17 weeks before being replaced by Kaymer. “It was about coming here this week and trying to win the Indonesian Masters and I’ve done that. I’ve ticked every box this week so we will have to wait and see what happens.”
He predicted a bright future for the Indonesian Masters and said the tournament would attract more world class players to play alongside the Asian Tour’s best in the coming years.
“I think it has been very successful. It has a fantastic golf course in brilliant condition and you got a good field this week. No complaints at all. I’m sure there will be many more Indonesian Masters and the field will only get stronger,” added the Englishman.
Thongchai credited a red hot putter for his flawless round where he turned in 31 before adding two more birdies on his back nine to put the pressure on Westwood.
“It was a good round from me and I’m happy with how I played. I played my own game and focussed hole by hole and shot by shot. I played very solidly,” said the three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.
He believes he is back to his best after suffering from a back injury in February. “I started very well with five birdies in the first nine and knew it would be a good day with my putter. I missed a couple of shots in the back nine which was disappointing. I feel that I’m getting back into form after my back injury,” said Thongchai.
Park, who was tied for the lead after nine holes, held his head high as he pushed Westwood to the brink before wobbling with three straight bogeys from the 15th hole to finish with 70.
“It was very disappointing. My putting was a real let down. It was the strong point in my game and I couldn’t keep it up when it mattered,” said the Korean, who is searching for his first career victory.
“It is still a good result for me and I hope to continue playing my best on the Asian Tour. Westwood is a very long hitter and after playing with him, I feel more confident. Maybe I’ll even win on the Asian Tour soon,” said the 24-year-old.
The Indonesian Masters is earmarked to become the country’s foremost golf championship, with plans to raise its prize fund and attract other international stars to Indonesia in the coming years.
Other sponsors of the Indonesian Masters include Four Seasons Hotel, Royale Jakarta Golf Club, PNTS, Garuda Indonesia, Mercedes-Benz, Coca Cola, San Miguel, Casillero del Diablo, Toshiba, Brava Radio and Yahoo! It also partnered Habitat for Humanity.
Leading fourth round scores
269 - Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 68-66-66-69.
272 - Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 67-70-70-65.
275 - Marcus BOTH (AUS) 70-70-69-66, SIDDIKUR (BAN) 66-72-69-68, Hyun-bin PARK (KOR) 67-68-70-70, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 68-68-69-70.
277 - Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-68-71-69, Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67-70-69-71.
280 - Darren BECK (AUS) 68-74-71-67, Inn-choon HWANG (KOR) 67-74-70-69, Rory HIE (INA) 68-74-69-69, Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 72-65-73-70, Wen-tang LIN (TPE) 71-67-70-72, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 67-70-70-73, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-68-69-73.
281 - Sung LEE (KOR) 70-72-70-69, Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 72-68-71-70.
282 - Angelo QUE (PHI) 71-72-68-71, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 72-70-67-73.
Hie Homes In On Top-10 Finish
The local hero fired a four-under-par 68 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club on Saturday to end the third round in tied 15th place, some 11 shots behind leader Lee Westwood.
"I thought I could have gone to seven or eight under but overall it was a good solid round. My short and long game was good. My putting was much better after I changed putters. I made two important changes today, I switched putters and shaved!" smiled Hie, the only local player to make the halfway cut this week.
"To score you've got to be on your game and precise on this course because the greens are very demanding and undulating. There’s no room for error. You have to keep the ball below the hole all the time."
With the crowds firmly behind him, Hie gave them plenty to cheer about with another impressive performance.
He drew loud roars of approval with an opening birdie and was unlucky to not hole a few more chances.
"That was pretty exciting (birdie on the first hole). There was quite a loud cheer. It felt like I birdied the 18th hole. It was nice to have the home crowd supporting you. I could have made birdie on the second hole but missed a short putt. That has been the story of the week," he said.
"Winning seems to be out of the question with Lee (Westwood) doing so well. Basically I’m aiming for a top-10. I’ve learned from previous experiences that you got to play your own game even though this is a big tournament. You got to focus and I think that’s what happened to the other local professionals. I played in other local tournaments and there’s always a guy shooting five or eight-under. I think it is just a mental game."
Westwood Takes Five Shot Lead
Despite bogeying the last hole, the Englishman still held a commanding five-shot lead on 16-under-par 200 to put himself in prime position of celebrating his 38th birthday with a victory at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Westwood was the world number one for 17 weeks before being replaced by Martin Kaymer in February and is in the running of regaining the top spot if he wins this week and Luke Donald does not in the United States.
Asian Tour rookie Park Hyun-bin of Korea, who has only one bogey (second round) in his campaign so far, fired a 70 to share second place with another newcomer Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand on a 205 total in the inaugural event.
Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng fired a 69, courtesy of an eagle three on the 12th hole to lie in fourth place while Bangladeshi Siddikur, Filipino Antonio Lascuna and Thai duo Prom Meesawat and Thongchai Jaidee are a stroke back.
Westwood, who returned Saturday morning to complete two holes of the second round where he took a one-shot lead, said reverting to the conventional putter from the belly putter worked wonders for him as he shot two hat-tricks of birdies from holes one and nine.
“It feels much better using the conventional putter because every decent putt seems to go in and that made me more comfortable. I’ve been in this position before and I’ll try not to get ahead of myself,” said the Englishman, who has won over 30 titles in his stellar career.
Westwood said he was focused on winning the Indonesian Masters. “I’m here to win a tournament. World rankings seem to take care of themselves,” added Westwood, Europe’s number one in 2000 and 2009.
Little known Thitiphun, who won an event in China last week, admitted to feeling nervous but regained confidence when he sank a huge 18 feet birdie putt on the second hole.
“I kept to my game plan of not being too greedy. You can’t get birdies all the time. My putting has been excellent this week and that has been pulling my game up,” said the 18-year-old.
The ever smiling Thai, who earned his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Thailand earlier this year, was relishing the opportunity of playing with Westwood in the final round.
“You won’t get many opportunities of playing with one of the world’s best golfer. I’m really looking forward to it. It won’t be easy to win though because I think I’ll be very nervous,” added the Thai.
Park saved numerous pars in a round of two birdies and was delighted with his putting and accurate iron play.
“My putting has been very solid. I managed to save many pars. I wished I could make more birdies but overall, I’m happy with what I shot,” said the 24-year-old.
Ticket sales for the Indonesian Masters are available at www.ibudibjo.com where all proceeds will go towards Habitat for Humanity, which the event is partnering. The non-profit organisation builds homes for the underprivileged in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Masters is earmarked to become the country’s foremost golf championship, with plans to raise its prize fund and attract other international stars to Indonesia in the coming years.
Other sponsors of the Indonesian Masters include Four Seasons Hotel, Royale Jakarta Golf Club, PNTS, Garuda Indonesia, Mercedes-Benz, Coca Cola, San Miguel, Casillero del Diablo, Toshiba, Brava Radio and Yahoo!
All the latest news from the Indonesian Masters is also available on www.indonesianmasters.com. The Indonesian Masters will be broadcast “live” over four rounds to over 130 countries worldwide, reaching over 400 million homes via the Asian Tour’s television platform.
Leading third round scores
200 - Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 68-66-66.
205 - Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 68-68-69, Hyun-bin PARK (KOR) 67-68-70.
206 - Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67-70-69.
207 - SIDDIKUR (BAN) 66-72-69, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-68-69, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 67-70-70, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 67-70-70.
208 - Wen-tang LIN (TPE) 71-67-70, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-68-71.
209 - Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 72-70-67, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 70-70-69.
210 - Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 72-65-73, Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 68-67-75.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Westwood In Charge
The Englishman, who returned this morning to finish two holes, posted a six-under-par 66 in a round of eight birdies against two bogeys at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
His two-day total of 10-under-par 134 was a shot better than little known Shaaban Hussin of Malaysia and Korean Park Hyun-bin in the inaugural US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong fired a 68 to sit in fourth place on 136.
Pariya Junhasavasdikul, who shot the best round of the week so far with a superb 65, was a stroke back with compatriots Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee. Englishman Simon Griffiths and Filipino Antonio Lascuna were also tied in fifth place.
Round two was suspended on Friday due to lightning and resumed Saturday morning at 6.30am where a total of 47 players returned to complete their round.
Westwood reverted to the conventional putter from the belly putter which worked wonders for him as he birdied his opening four holes before making the turn in 32.
He added a birdie and bogey on holes 12 and 13 and was on the charge with another birdie on 16 before play was suspended yesterday.
He returned this morning with a par, birdie finish to give himself a fighting chance of winning the Indonesian Masters and regaining the world number one position from Martin Kaymer if Luke Donald does not win in the United States.
“I had an early start this morning and wanted to get going. I finished off nicely. I had a tricky lie on 17 after hitting it in the rough last night and got it on the green and two putted for par. I played some nice shots on the last and hit my approach to four feet which I sank for birdie,” said Westwood, who will celebrate his 38th birthday this Sunday.
“I wasn’t happy with my belly putter in the first round. I putted really poorly and still shot a 68 so that was a positive. But I decided to go back to the short putter and I have a bit of faith in it. I had 26 putts and if you do well from tee to green, you are going to shoot a good score,” added the Englishman.
The halfway cut was set at two-over-par 146 with a total of 68 players making the cut.
Ticket sales for the Indonesian Masters are available at www.ibudibjo.com where all proceeds will go towards Habitat for Humanity, which the event is partnering. The non-profit organisation builds homes for the underprivileged in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Masters is earmarked to become the country’s foremost golf championship, with plans to raise its prize fund and attract other international stars to Indonesia in the coming years.
Other sponsors of the Indonesian Masters include Four Seasons Hotel, Royale Jakarta Golf Club, PNTS, Garuda Indonesia, Mercedes-Benz, Coca Cola, San Miguel, Casillero del Diablo, Toshiba, Brava Radio and Yahoo!
All the latest news from the Indonesian Masters is also available on www.indonesianmasters.com. The Indonesian Masters will be broadcast “live” over four rounds to over 130 countries worldwide, reaching over 400 million homes via the Asian Tour’s television platform.
Leading second round scores
134 - Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 68-66.
135 - Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 68-67, Hyun-bin PARK (KOR) 67-68.
136 - Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 68-68.
137 - Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 72-65, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-68, Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 69-68, Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67-70, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 67-70, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 67-70.
138 - Wen-tang LIN (TPE) 71-67, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-68, SIDDIKUR (BAN) 66-72.
140 - Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 72-68, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 70-70, Scott BARR (AUS) 73-67, Joong-kyung MO (KOR) 68-72, Peter GUSTAFSSON (SWE) 69-71.
141 - Jason KNUTZON (USA) 70-71, Chih Bing LAM (SIN) 67-74, Inn-choon HWANG (KOR) 67-74, Thammanoon SRIROJ (THA) 70-71.
Surprise Leaders Steal Thunder
The world number two was nine-under in the US$750,000 and will have to return at 6.30am local time on Saturday to finish his remaining two holes at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Shaaban of Malaysia and Korean Park fired a 67 and 68 respectively to take the clubhouse lead on nine-under-par 135 in the inaugural US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand shot a 68 to lie in third position on 136 while countrymen Pariya Junhasavasdikul, who shot the best round of the week so far with a superb 65, was a stroke back with compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Englishman Simon Griffiths.
Round two was suspended due to lightning threat at 4.25pm local time and will resume at 6.30am on Saturday. A total of 47 players have yet to complete their rounds.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee was on eight-under through 16 holes before play was suspended. His playing partner and overnight leader Siddikur struggled to emulate yesterday’s solid round as he was five-under.
Westwood, who reverted to the conventional putter from the belly putter today, birdied his opening four holes before making the turn in 32. He added a birdie and bogey on holes 12 and 13 respectively and was on the charge with another birdie on 16 before play was suspended.
“Obviously I’m disappointed because I had two more holes to play. I’m still in contention and have to see how things go in the next two days,” said Westwood.
He has the opportunity to regain the world number one position this week if he wins and if Luke Donald does not in the United States.
Shaaban, a former Malaysian amateur number one, didn’t hit a single par in his first nine. He got off to a bogey start but rallied with four straight birdies before adding two birdies against as many bogeys.
He returned with a blemish free back nine highlighted by a monster 20 feet birdie putt on 12 before sinking a crucial birdie on the last from seven feet for a 67. His total of 135 equalled his best two-day score at the 2009 Brunei Open.
“I had a bogey on my first hole and I never gave up from there. I tried to come back from that blemish and returned with four straight birdies. After the turn, I wanted to focus more and finished strongly which I did,” said the 30-year-old.
He earned his Asian Tour card in 2010 but struggled with consistency where he only posted one top-10 in Cambodia. He is hoping to make amends this week and celebrate the arrival of his son with a victory.
“I need to maintain my rhythm like how I did today. Everything clicked for me and I’m happy with that. I’ve more reason to celebrate because I welcomed a new son two weeks ago. I’m looking forward to the next two days,” added Shaaban.
Asian Tour rookie Park earned his card at Qualifying School in Thailand earlier this year when he finished in tied 33rd place. He started with nine consecutive pars before bursting into life with birdies on the last three holes.
He admitted that he was lucky with his birdie on the 17th hole after his superb approach shot landed 10 feet from the hole.
“I couldn’t read the greens on the front nine and got a bit lucky on the back. The wind was blowing very strongly on the 17th hole and I thought my approach would land far from the hole. I was very lucky it didn’t!” said the 24-year-old.
Park turned professional five years ago and decided to play on the Asian Tour to elevate his career.
“I like the way the Asian Tour is run and I’m enjoying myself here. I’m also used to the weather because I always practice in Thailand during the winter season in Korea,” said Park, who is looking for his first career victory.
Licensed pilot Pariya bounced back from his opening round 72 with a brilliant 65 highlighted by an eagle where he holed out from 90 feet on the par five 12th hole.
He won his maiden title last year and finished in 12th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Despite making all four cuts this year, Pariya has not managed to play his way in contention until this week.
“I haven’t been posting any threats to the leaderboard in my last four tournaments so coming down here to put myself in contention is really good to see. This is a boost of confidence for me,” said Pariya.
Ticket sales for the Indonesian Masters are available at www.ibudibjo.com where all proceeds will go towards Habitat for Humanity, which the event is partnering. The non-profit organisation builds homes for the underprivileged in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Masters is earmarked to become the country’s foremost golf championship, with plans to raise its prize fund and attract other international stars to Indonesia in the coming years.
Other sponsors of the Indonesian Masters include Four Seasons Hotel, Royale Jakarta Golf Club, PNTS, Garuda Indonesia, Mercedes-Benz, Coca Cola, San Miguel, Casillero del Diablo, Toshiba, Brava Radio and Yahoo!
All the latest news from the Indonesian Masters is also available on www.indonesianmasters.com. The Indonesian Masters will be broadcast “live” over four rounds to over 130 countries worldwide, reaching over 400 million homes via the Asian Tour’s television platform.
Leading second round scores
135 - Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 68-67, Hyun-bin PARK (KOR) 67-68.
136 - Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 68-68.
137 - Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 72-65, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-68, Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 69-68.
138 - LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 71-67, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-68.
140 - Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 72-68, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 70-70, Scott BARR (AUS) 73-67.
141 - Jason KNUTZON (USA) 70-71.
142 - Adam GROOM (AUS) 75-67, Tim STEWART (AUS) 70-72, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 72-70, Atthaphon PRATHUMMANEE (THA) 73-69, Rory HIE (INA) 68-74.
Eagle Lifts Pariya Into Title Hunt
The Thai rising star holed out from 90 feet on the 12th hole of the magnificent Royale Jakarta Golf Club and then saved par two holes later with a chip in as his two-day total of seven-under-par 137 left him just two shots back of clubhouse leaders Shaaban Hussin of Malaysia and Park Hyun-bin of Korea.
After a breakthrough season last year where he won his maiden title and finished 12th on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, much was expected from the 26-year-old in 2011. But while he has made all four cuts this year, Pariya has not managed to play his way into contention until this week’s US$750,000 showpiece in Jakarta.
“I’m very happy wit the result. My ball striking has been really good but my putting is not cooperating at all. I think I only had two birdies from inside 20 feet, the others were from inside 10 feet,” said Pariya.
“I holed out an eagle from the very front of the green from about 90 feet away. I chipped in for par on hole 14 and made a long putt on hole one from off the green for birdie. It was a pretty lucky day. When you shoot seven-under, I’m not going to really complain about it.”
The business management graduate from Purdue University, who is also a licensed pilot, was delighted to feature on the leaderboard in Indonesia’s newest professional golf tournament.
“Nothing was different. I just had more luck. I haven’t been posting any threat to the leaderboards in my last three tournaments so coming down here to put myself in contention is really good to see. This is a boost of confidence for me.”
Countryman Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who won the SAIL Open in India last month, kept himself in prime position to strike heading into the weekend rounds after adding a 68 to his opening 69.
After missing the halfway cut in the Maybank Malaysian Open last week, the burly Thai was determined to challenge this week, especially at Royale Jakarta which seems to suit his big-hitting game.
“It was an okay round for me. I’m having a lot of confidence after my win at the SAIL Open. I had a minor setback at last week’s Maybank Malaysian Open where I couldn’t focus (in the heat) but I feel that I’m at my best now. It was nice to birdie the closing two holes (eighth and ninth) to put myself in a good position,” said the former world junior champion.
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