Macau Open 2005 to tee off with some of the world’s top stars

Defending Macau Open champion Jason Knutzon from USA will return to defend his title against a spirited challenge from some of Asia and the world’s top golfers in the Macau Open 2005. The eighth playing of the Macau Open will be held at the championship course at the Macau Golf and Country Club on the island of Coloane in Macau from 12 to 15 May, 2005.

Since winning last year’s Macau Open, Jason Knutzon has competed steadily on the Asian Tour, with top finishes including a T9th at the Taiwan Mercuries Open, T21st at the Caltex Masters in Singapore and T25th at the Volvo Masters of Asia.

“Macau is a very beautiful and fun place to be, I will also be looking forward to the challenges on the golf course. It will be a very special week for me defending my title in Macau” stated the defending champion. This May, Knutzon will face off against another top-flight international field at the Macau Open 2005, including two-time US PGA player of the year Fred Couples and China’s top ranked player Zhang Lian Wei.

Couples, a 15-time winner on the US PGA Tour and the 1992 US Masters champion, will be making his debut at the Macau Open 2005, but he is no stranger to international competition, having won four consecutive World Cup of Golf titles with team mate Davis Love III from 1992 to 1995. He also has strong experience in Asia, having played in Japan, Korea and Thailand where he won the Johnnie Walker World Championship in 1991 and 1995.

Commenting on his upcoming Macau Open debut, Couples said, "I have never been to Macau, and am looking forward to this trip very much. I am grateful to have received the invitation to participate, and I hope to have a successful week."

Also joining the field is China’s number one golfer Zhang Lian Wei, a back-to-back winner of the Macau Open in 2001 and 2002. Zhang made history in 2004 by becoming the first ever player from China to be invited to play in the US Masters. His credits also include being the first Chinese golfer to win an event on the European Tour international schedule in 2003 when he birdied the final hole at Laguna National Golf & Country Club to grab the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg Singapore title from under the nose of favourite Ernie Els. In 2002, he held off the challenge of three time Major winner Nick Price to successfully defend his Macau Open title at the fifth play-off hole.

These and several other top players from Asia and around the globe will be competing on the scenic and challenging course at the Macau Golf & Country Club this May.

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