New Asian Tour Flagship Event Announced

The Ho Tram Players Championship takes place on 'The world's best new golf course' in South Vietnam

Asian Tour flagship event

The Ho Tram Players Championship in Vietnam offers increased world ranking points and becomes the new Asian Tour flagship event

New Asian Tour Flagship Event Announced

The Asian Tour has unveiled a new flagship event, the Ho Tram Players Championship, which will take place from the 13th-16th April 2017 at The Bluffs, Ho Tram Strip.

The course opened in October 2014 and was designed by Greg Norman. It was recognised as ‘The World’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2015 World Golf Awards.

The inaugural Ho Tram Open in December was won by Sergio Garcia in a play-off at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip.

Asian Tour flagship event

Sergio Garcia with the inaugural Ho Tram Open trophy

The event was The Asian Tour’s 2015 Event of the Year, which set the foundation for the launch of the Tour’s new flagship event, the Ho Tram Players Championship.

“The Players’ Championship will be the highlight of the Asian Tour year and we could not think of a more deserving venue and event than Ho Tram” commented Kyi Hla Han, Commissioner Asian Tour.

“The inaugural year not only put Ho Tram on the map, but has reinforced Vietnam’s position as a growing force in the world of golf and sports.”

Ho Tram will host some of the best golfers in the world including defending Champion Sergio Garcia who will return to defend his title next April, the week after The Masters. The US $1.2 million showpiece will become the richest prize purse for a full-field Asian Tour event and also receive an increase in world ranking points given its increased ‘flagship’ status.

Asian Tour flagship event

Michael E Kelly, Executive Chairman of Asian Coast Development Ltd said, “An event of this stature will afford us the opportunity to evolve the Ho Tram Strip’s appeal as a luxury destination and grow Vietnam’s status as a major player in global golf and tourism.”

“I made no secret about how impressed I was with Ho Tram and The Bluffs and the response I have had around the world about how spectacular the championship looked has been extraordinary,” commented defending Champion Sergio Garcia.

“For the event to be announced as The Players Championship is a huge step and I think everyone involved should be particularly proud of getting the event to such status in such a short space of time.”

The Ho Tram Players Championship will be broadcast around the world in over 180 countries, reaching over 740 million households, making it one of the most watched sporting events in Vietnam’s history.

Ben Styles, Vice-President of Golf & Residential Development for The Ho Tram Strip said, “This is yet another milestone in Ho Tram and Vietnam’s history. To host such a prestigious Championship will certainly add more interest for Vietnam, increasing global viewing figures as well as giving our top Vietnamese amateurs the opportunity to compete against the world’s best.”

Next: BMW International Open Golf Betting Tips

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV