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Former world No. 1 and the South African golfer, Ernie Els, has agreed to become the face of the Asia tour as the first international ambassador.
The 43-year-old golfer and the British Open title defender also joins South Korean pair Yang Yong-eun and KJ Choi, Fijian Vijay Singh and Jeev Milkha Singh of India as a member of the 10-year tour.
Els felt privileged to receive this honour. In an interview, he said : “It is a great honour for me … this is absolutely wonderful,I’ve played in Asia for many, many years and … this is something which I will take seriously.
“Who knows where the Asian Tour will be in 10 years’ time? I can only see it growing … golf is so spectacular over there for the people and they are so excited about it.
“Golf courses are going up all over the place there. It just keeps growing.”
He has always been a firm supporter of the Asian tour, featuring in 26 tournaments across the region since 2004 and picking up two victories and 16 top-10 finishes.
For his fluid swinging style and heavy structure, the golfer is also known as ‘The Big Easy’. He will be playing alongside U.S. Open winner Justin Rose and American Brandt Snedeker in the first two rounds of this week’s British Open.
