THE inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open is poised for a historic launch when the event tees off at the Phokeethra Country Club on Thursday.
The US$300,000 ($432,000) Asian Tour event, which has the full backing of the Cambodian government, will be the first professional golf tournament in the emerging nation, where the aspiration is for a Cambodian golfer to some day lift the national Open.
A strong line-up of Asian Tour stars, led by Thai Thaworn Wiratchant, a former Asian No. 1 and holder of a record nine wins in the region, will compete at the Phokeethra Course, reported asiantour.com.
Other top names who will vie for the title include Thailand's Chapchai Nirat and Scotland's Simon Yates, both ranked in the top 10 of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.
The Phokeethra Country Club is steeped in the history of the region. Within its grounds stands the magnificent ancient 'Roluh' Bridge dating back to a Khmer empire in the 11th century and is older than the famous Angkor Wat, which is also located in Siem Reap.
Johnnie Walker's general manager (Indochina), Sam Fischer, said: 'We are very honoured to have this opportunity to work with the Phokeethra Country Club and Asian Tour on the Cambodian Open, and we look forward to watching some truly inspirational golf in Cambodia.
'Most of all, the tournament is a platform to promote the philosophy that lies at the heart of the Johnnie Walker brand: Keep Walking.
'This philosophy is about inspiring people to take the next step on their journey towards their goals.'
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said he was looking forward to the first Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open, which is one of six new events scheduled this season.
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