China's Liang Wen-Chong, Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and India's
Jeev Milkha Singh were issued special invitations to the Masters
golf tournament on Monday by Augusta National Golf Club.
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne announced the names, which
bring the entry list at the year's first major golf championship
April 10-13 to 87.
"These three individuals are successful, accomplished and
talented golfers deserving of a Masters invitation," Payne said.
"They are outstanding representatives of their respective
countries."
More players can qualify for the Masters by winning a US PGA
event or placing among the top 50 on the world golf rankings in the
week before the Masters.
But giving the Asian players their chance ensures the Masters
will achieve its goals of global growth for the sport.
"We think the interest in golf in each country will heighten
when these players compete in the Masters," Payne said.
Liang won the 2007 European Tour event at Singapore and last
year became the first Chinese player to win the Asian Tour's Order
of Merit. He leads Asian tour money winners so far this season and
will play in the 2008 British Open.
Prayad has won six Asian Tour titles and in 1999 became the
first Thai golfer to qualify for the British Open. He ranked fifth
on the Asian tour last year.
Singh made his Masters debut last year, sharing 10th after the
first round and 16th after 36 holes before settling for a share of
37th. He won twice on the European tour in 2006 and won the Asian
Tour money crown that year.
Other Asians who are set to play at Augusta in April include
South Korean K.J. Choi and Japan's Shingo Katayama and Toru
Taniguchi.
(Agencies via CRI January 22, 2008)
