yeangder.2016

A power-packed line-up of stars, which consists of 30 Asian Development Tour (ADT) winners, will headline the third edition of the Charming Yeangder ADT from March 31 to April 3 next week.

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, current Order of Merit leader, will feature in the US$150,000 event alongside compatriots Pavit Tangkamolprasert, 2014 Merit champion, Phachara Khongwatmai, youngest winner on the ADT and Gavin Green of Malaysia, first player to win on the ADT as an amateur in 2014.

Chan Shih-chang, who holds a record total of five victories on the region’s burgeoning Tour, will spearhead the home charge alongside defending champion Hsieh Chi-hsien, Asian Tour stalwart Lin Wen-tang, Hung Chien-yao and Lee Chieh-po at the National Golf Country Club.

American duo John Michael O’Toole and Josh Salah, Janne Kaske of Finland, Scotland’s James Byrne and Australian Jake Stirling will also be part of the elite 144-man field from over 18 countries challenging for the title in what is one of the richest event on the ADT this season.

Hsieh, who secured a spot at the European Tour’s Shenzhen International next month after coming through the Qualifiers on Thursday, will return to his favourite hunting ground to challenge for a third ADT victory next week.

“The ADT has been a great platform for me to hone my skills. My game has improved a lot after playing on the ADT last year. It’s great to be back at the National Golf Country Club as I have won both my ADT titles here. I won’t think so much about defending my title. I will just go out and have fun,” said the 25-year-old Hsieh.

“It’s my first year playing on the Asian Tour this season. I feel like I have grown a lot. There are a lot more good players on the Asian Tour and there are so much things to learn. I will work hard and hopefully secure some good results later this season,” added Hsieh.

The Charming Yeangder ADT will provide another opportunities for players to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, which will be key in qualifying for the Olympic Games taking place in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Six-time Asian Tour winner Lin, ranked 337th in the world, are currently in the running to represent Chinese Taipei at the Olympic Games where the qualifying cut-off is July 11, 2016.

The Yeangder ADT, which was inaugurated in 2012, returned onto the ADT Schedule after a three-year absence in 2015, bearing a new title sponsor in Charming Hotel Group which continues to show its support for the event this season.

A total of 144 players will compete in the Charming Yeangder ADT, with the field being split between the ADT and the Taiwan PGA. The Charming Yeangder ADT will be the eighth leg of the 2016 ADT season and also the Tour’s first stop in Chinese Taipei this season.

The ADT will continue to reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2016.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com

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