Pan Cheng-tsung and Guan Tian-lang, two of the most talented young golfers from the Greater China region, will look to shine at this year’s Venetian Macao Open as they take to the fairways of the Macau Golf & Country Club for the first time.

Hailing from Chinese Taipei, 23-year-old Pan has made steady progress since turning professional earlier this year. Herecorded his first professional win in July,  propelling  him into the world’s top 600 for the first time. An exceptional amateur, the University of Washington graduate topped the World Amateur Golf Ranking for eight weeks in 2013 and has dreams of reaching the upper echleons in the professional ranks. He commented:

He commented:“It has been a steep, but positive, learning curve since I turned professional a couple of months ago. The amateur scene is very tough, but this is a different world altogether in terms of the intensity, level of play, and concentration that is required. Getting to number one on the amateur rankings was a huge achievement for me and it will be a dream come true if I can reach number one in the professional rankings, too. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but I will work as hard as I can to get there.”

“While practice can make perfect, nothing beats playing against the best professional players in the world in a competitive environment. Being amongst the world class field at the Venetian Macao Open is exactly what I need to keep improving, so I am very thankful to be granted a sponsor’s invite and I hope I make the most out of it.”

China’s Guan made headlines in 2013 when he became the youngest-ever player to make the cut at a Major, finishing 58^th at The Masters at 14 years of age, having qualified for the tournament through a  dramatic victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2012.  Despite a wealth of experience, Guan is in no hurry to turn professional and instead has continued to develop his game on the junior and amateur scene.

The Guangzhou native said:

““I will never forget Augusta 2013 and I can’t tell you how surreal the whole Masters experience was for me. It turned a childhood dream into reality and I am hungry for more. I am very happy to play at the Venetian Macao Open this year as it offers a precious opportunity to keep learning. I will continue to work hard to achieve my life long ambition.”

The tournament, taking place from October 15 to 18, is once again organised by the Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government and the Golf Association of Macau. Sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, The Venetian^® Macao is supporting the iconic event as title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

José Tavares, President of Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government (MSDB), welcomes these two young debutants:

“Pan and Guan are two of the biggest emerging talents from the Greater China region right now so it is very exciting to see both of them joining us for the first time in their careers. The Venetian Macao Open is one of our most iconic annual sports events that attracts some of the best golfers in the world and it will provide a great platform for the two youngsters to gauge where they are with their game. We are delighted to be able to play a part in the development of their respective careers.”

Dave Horton, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Sands China Ltd., commented:

“We are very pleased to welcome both Pan and Guan as first time participants in the Venetian Macao Open. There is no doubt they will wow golf fans with their on-course magic and make this years event the best to date.”

The prestigious tournament, in its 17^th edition, will see a total prize fund increase for a third consecutive year, taking it to the all-important US $1 million mark. Defending champion Anirban Lahiri of India, 2013 champion Australian Scott Hend and four-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa have already confirmed their participation.

Since its inauguration in 1998, many other world-class golfers have graced the fairways of Macau Golf & Country Club, including Lee Westwood (winner in 1999), Colin Montgomerie (winner in 2003), Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Mark O’Meara, and Chinese stars Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong.

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit: www.thevenetianmacaoopen.com.