Mercuries Taiwan Masters prize fund boosted to US$600,000
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The long-running Mercuries Taiwan Masters will receive a US$100,000 shot in the arm with this year's prize pot increased to a lucrative US$600,000, organisers announced today.
The best players from the Asian Tour, including defending champion Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand, will converge at the challenging Taiwan Golf and Country Club from November 3-6, 2011.
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, has been one of the most popular events on the Asian Tour over the years and is highly revered by the Chinese Taipei players.
"We are delighted to further pledge our support towards the Mercuries Taiwan Masters by increasing the tournament's prize money by US$100,000 this year. We hope to see the continued growth of golf in the region and in Chinese Taipei," said Organising Committee Chairman, George Wong.
"This year's tournament promises to be a memorable one as we will celebrate our 25th anniversary. We believe that through the success of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, we have shaped the careers of many great Asian players."
Past champions of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters include local heroes Lu Wei-chih, Lu Wen-teh, Lin Keng-chi and Lin Wen-tang, who have a combined 16 Asian Tour victories.
Among the other winners of the popular tournament include Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant, a 12-time Asian Tour champion, Daniel Chopra of Sweden, who is now a star on the US PGA Tour, and Indian veteran Gaurav Ghei.
Last year, the Mercuries Taiwan Masters enjoyed a magical week when local hero and Asian golf legend Hsieh Min-nan wrote a slice of history by becoming the oldest player on the Asian Tour at the age of 70 years and 53 days to make the halfway cut.
Pariya also announced his arrival on the big stage when he claimed the title by beating Bangladesh's Siddikur in a play-off.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han saluted the strong support by the Mercuries Group.
"The record prize fund shows the tremendous support of our sponsors. The Mercuries Taiwan Masters has been one of the most popular events on the Asian Tour Schedule and we are confident it will continue to grow under the stewardship of the Mercuries Group," said Han.
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters is one of two Asian Tour events to be held in Taipei, with the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship to be staged in October.
The Asian Development Tour, a secondary circuit for rising stars of the game, will also host two events in Taipei, the Transcend Championship and Ballantine's Taiwan Championship.
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