Japanese stars to challenge at Motorola

Two-time winner Tatsuhiko Takahashi will lead a powerful line-up from Japan for the inaugural Motorola International Bintan at Ria Bintan Golf Club from March 22-25.

Event promoter Global Premier Sports announced today that other top names who will head full speed to the US$350,000 Asian Tour event include Nozomi Kawahara and Takuya Taniguchi, who have both registered a win each in Japan,

The leading trio will form a formidable 10-player contingent invited from the Japan Golf Tour for the Motorola International Bintan, which includes highly rated Korean teenager Lee Dong-hwan, last season's Rookie of the Year in Japan.

In 2006, Takahashi registered by far his biggest career victory when he claimed a three-stroke triumph in the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship Shishido Hills, one of Japan's most prestigious events.

That victory was his second title in as many seasons after he broke through in the 2005 Aiful Cup and great things are expected from him. Takahashi, 32, later ended the year strongly with a tied 14th finish at the Casio World Open and was tied seventh in the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

Takahashi said: "I have played in a few Asian Tour events previously when I was younger and I am really looking forward to returning to play in the inaugural Motorola International Bintan.

"This will be my first tournament of the year and I hope to have a good start. Of course, my goal is to win in Bintan, by which I would earn a winner's exemption on the Asian Tour which now stages many big tournaments.

"On behalf of other Japanese players and Japan Golf Tour, I would like to thank Motorola, Global Premier Sports, the Asian Tour and everyone who is involved for giving us such as a great opportunity. I believe the tournament will be a huge success."

The 19-year-old Lee enjoyed an outstanding season last year where he notched four top-10s and five other top-20s. He came close to winning the Under Armour KBC Augusta Open last season, entering the final day as the leader but settled for seventh place after a closing 72. Much is expected from the highly talented Korean at the Motorola International Bintan.

Tanigushi, 27, is also rated as one of Japan's rising sons. Although he failed to add to his lone career victory in the 2004 Aiful Cup, he has produced 10 top-10s over the last two season to reinforce his growing reputation as a top player.

Kawahara, 36, enjoyed four top-10s in a row at the start of last season in Japan, including two runner-up finishes and will arrive in the Motorola International Bintan looking for a second career title after his success in the 2003 Tokai Classic.

The other players invited from the Japan Golf Tour to feature in the Motorola International Bintan include Masaya Tomida, Mitsuhiro Tateyama, Sushi Ishagaki, Yoshinobu Tsukada, Akinori Tani and Tatsuaki Nakamura

The tournament's title sponsors Motorola have also invited 10 players from the PGA Tour of Australasia to compete in the Motorola International Bintan where Aussie great Peter Senior, Jarrod Moseley and Marcus Fraser were announced earlier being amongst the prominent names who will challenge for the inaugural title.

Former Asian Tour number ones, Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Chinese Taipei's Lin Keng-chi, will also tee up at the spectacular Ria Bintan Golf Club as title contenders along with Singaporean Mardan Mamat.

The event will enjoy a touch of difference with Bintan Resorts going all out to ensure that the players and VIP guests enjoy a memorable time with numerous after-event parties that have been lined up during the Motorola International Bintan.

As part of its commitment to the inaugural tournament, Bintan Resorts will also host all players by providing complimentary accommodation during the tournament week and create a fun atmosphere with first-class hospitality.

March 12, 2007

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