One of the world s brightest golf talents, Rickie Fowler, returns to OneAsia for a third time in November to contest the Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola. Fowler, 24, will be playing in his second PGA Championship, having first contested in 2011 when he also won OneAsia&aposs Kolon Korea Open, his maiden professional victory. I love Australia. I ve been there a handful of times and this will be my second professional event there,” said Fowler, who finished tied for 14th on his last visit. “I haven t found a part of Australia I haven t liked yet.” Known not only for his golf ability, the current world number 34 is just as recognisable for his flamboyant style and love of extreme sports, and says he’s looking forward to exploring the Gold Coast during his Australian return. The 2013 Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland s Gold Coast from November 7-10 and will again be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia. I m definitely showing up there to win and play my best, but I m also looking forward to seeing a little more of Australia,” he said. I haven t been to the Gold Coast but I m definitely looking forward to it. The Australian PGA is a great event and I hope to do a bit of sightseeing as well. I love spending time at the beach. I wouldn t mind getting out for some fishing, maybe some diving … who knows. Fowler adds flair to a line-up that is already confirmed to include 2013 U.S. Masters champion and Gold Coast local Adam Scott. Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia, said the PGA didn t need to think twice in inviting Fowler back to Australia. Rickie is a huge hit with the crowds wherever he goes and he made plenty of new fans on his last trip to Queensland, he said. With the Championship now based on the Gold Coast, we had absolutely no hesitation in inviting Rickie back, and we re looking forward to showing him the Gold Coast s renowned lifestyle. Once ranked as the world s best amateur, Fowler duelled it out with Rory McIlroy over four rounds at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Seoul in October 2011. A third-round course record-equalling 63 helped him to a healthy six-shot victory against McIlroy and a chasing field that included Major winner Y.E. Yang. Fowler and McIlroy would go head-to-head again the following year when the American claimed his first U.S. PGA Tour title at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship in a three-way playoff that included D.A. Points. So far in 2013 Fowler has made four top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour, his best being tie for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, said it was great news the young golfing star had chosen the Gold Coast for his only Australian tournament this year. We re thrilled to welcome Rickie to the Gold Coast this November for the Australian PGA Championship, giving local and interstate golfing fans a fantastic opportunity to see the American star in action, said Minster Stuckey. The Championship is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as well as Coca-Cola, RACV, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Tourism, Emirates, Volkswagen, Hahn Premium Light, Amadio Wine and Srixon.
Author: PGA/OneAsia