RELATED STORIES Volvo Masters of Asia gets prize money boost Volvo Masters of Asia 2006 home page Thongchai triumphs and maintains victory streak Details of the Thai Country Club MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS US Open within reach for Thongchai Kataoka believes victory is near Pratt feeling fortunate in Indonesia Australia flying high in Indonesia Vongvanij leads thai charge at Indonesian Masters Els playing well in Indonesia Clarke aims to bounce back in Indonesia Hend looks for success at Indonesian Masters NEWS & TOUR TOP STORIES Nick Faldo receives his Knighthood LPGA wins Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Mickelson raises expectations for 2010 Race to Dubai nears its conclusion Thousands follow Tiger Woods practice round Fans warned about fake Ryder Cup tickets

Volvo Masters of Asia to stay at Thai Country Club

The Volvo Masters of Asia will remain in Thailand in 2008 and make its fourth successive appearance at Thai Country Club it was announced today.

The tournament is the season-ending Tour Championship on the Asian Tour and was first played at Thai Country Club in 2005 as part of a three-year association with the prestigious venue.

Having enjoyed an excellent relationship with the club, Volvo have decided to return next year and benefit from hosting a tournament in a country that is one of the strongholds of Asian professional golf.

This year’s Volvo Masters of Asia is being played from December 6 to 9 and boasts prize money of US$750,000.

The event, which was won last year by Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, features an elite field of the top-60 played from the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.

“I am delighted to be in a position to confirm that we have recently signed a one year extension to our current contract with the event’s promoter World Sport Group,” said Mel Pyatt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Volvo Event Management.

“The decision to extend the contract is recognition of the importance of this event to Volvo, not just here in Thailand but throughout Asia where as the Finale of the Asian Tour, it exemplifies all the qualities that both Volvo and golf share and actively supports our brand communications strategy throughout the region,” added Pyatt.

Rising Indian star Shiv Kapur tasted victory when the Volvo Masters of Asia was first played at Thai Country Club in 2005 when players, officials and sponsors immediately warmed to the club.

“Hosting the Volvo Masters of Asia has been a resounding success and Thai Country Club is truly thrilled that the tournament will be back again in 2008,” said Jean-Pierre Schneider, General Manager, Thai Country Club.

Located 45 minutes drive south of Bangkok, Thai Country Club is no stranger to staging top international competitions. The Club hosted the Asian Classic in 1997 which was won by American Tiger Woods.

“From the outset Thai Country Club and been the perfect match for the Volvo Masters of Asia as we share a common goal to be the best at what we do,” added Schneider.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han was also delighted with confirmation that the Thai Country Club will host the Volvo Masters of Asia till 2008.

“Thai Country Club is amongst the premier venues in Asia and all our stars enjoy playing on its championship course. It is no doubt the perfect venue to determine the Volvo Masters of Asia winner as well as our UBS Order of Merit champion,” said Han.

The Volvo Masters of Asia was inaugurated in 2002 when Volvo realized that the Asian Tour needed a tournament at the end of the season restricted to those players who have played best throughout the year. Prior to that Volvo staged the very successful Volvo Masters of Malaysia from 1994 to 2001.

In another significant development today, Pyatt also officially announced to the Thai media that he will be retiring at the end of this year after over a decade of being instrumental in the development of the game in Asia and Europe.

“It has been an amazing 13-year journey, which reflects the growing importance of Asian golfers on the world stage and one that I have been particularly proud to be associated with. It is therefore with some sadness that I confirm that I shall be retiring at the end of 2007 and therefore that this year’s Volvo Masters of Asia will be my last in terms of having any official capacity,” said Pyatt.

A former professional on the European Tour, Pyatt has been an outstanding ambassador for Volvo and the game of golf.

“It is very important that everyone understands that I have chosen today to make this announcement in order to underline the importance and respect that I have for the media in Thailand and the region as a whole.

“For the last 13 years, the Asian press have given tremendous support to Volvo tournaments and this has responsible for the success our events have enjoyed and therefore hugely contributed to support that Volvo has continued to provide,” commented Pyatt.

August 21, 2007