Home hero Vijay Singh has once again signed up to support his country’s largest sporting event, the Fiji International.
Held from October 6-9 at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, this will be the Fiji International’s third edition with Singh having supported the tournament from the very start.
The Fijian Government is delighted to see Vijay Singh returning home again this year.
“Vijay has been a great ambassador for Fiji and the Fiji International, so we are excited to have him return for the third consecutive year of the tournament,” said Hon. Faiyaz Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism.
“Fijians are passionate about our sports, and even more so for our athletes who have succeeded in the international arena.
“Vijay’s presence at the Fiji International will not only boost Fiji’s position as a must-go-to destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide, it will also build our capacity to host world-class events and develop international standard venues.”
Singh has won 60 tournaments, including three Major Championships and nine regular European Tour events, in 16 different countries.
“I am so proud that Fiji now has a world-class tournament which brings some excellent golfers to the country,” said Singh.
“I love coming home to play. I have managed some good finishes in the first two Fiji Internationals, but I am hoping this is the year I can win.”
Following Cyclone Winston, Singh believes it more important than ever that he competes in his home tournament.
Winston was devastating for Fiji, but the people of Fiji are tenacious and the country has started to recover.
Vijay Singh
“Fiji is working hard to showcase that it is open for business, the Fiji International plays a big role in that and I hope that me competing in the tournament will help spread the message.”
The Fiji International will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the first time this year.
“Vijay has enjoyed an illustrious career, and he continues to be a competitive force on the PGA Tour,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia which oversees the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Having Fiji’s most successful sportsman compete in the country’s largest sporting event is always a priority for us.”
“Through the tournament, we aim to grow Fiji as a golfing destination but also grow golf in the country. Bringing Vijay home to inspire the next generation of golfers is integral to that vision.”
For the third consecutive year, the prize money on offer at the Fiji International will receive a boost.
In the inaugural edition in 2014, the field competed for an AU$1.050million prize purse, which was increased to AU$1.125million last year, when American Matt Kuchar won the tournament.
This year, players will be competing for AU$1.5million – an increase of more than 30 per cent on last year’s – as a result of the co-sanctioning with the European Tour.
“This increase will be an added incentive for more professional golfers to take part in the Fiji International, thus improving the field of players and increasing the competition in the tournament,” added the Hon Faiyaz Koya.
“Since its inception, the Fiji International has grown and thrived on all fronts – from the quality of players competing, to interest in Fiji and recognition on the world stage. The growth of the prize money reflects this,” added Thorburn.
“To become a European Tour co-sanctioned event, the Fiji International needed to meet a prize money minimum – which it now does.
“Along with the players receiving a boost in prize money thanks to the European Tour co-sanctioning, the tournament and Fiji will also receive a boost. This unique tournament and beautiful golfing destination will be shown to more homes around the globe than in previous years, thanks to the European Tour’s broadcast platform.”
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from October 6-9, with tickets on sale shortly.
