Fijian
champion Vijay Singh has once again signed on to support his country’s largest
sporting event; the Fiji International.

Being
played from the 6-9 October at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course this will
be the Fiji International’s third staging with Singh supporting the tournament
from the 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. 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.  

"We
Fijians are passionate about our sports and even more so for our athletes that
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 world-wide, but also build our
capacity to host world class events and develop international standard venues."
added the Hon. Faiyaz Koya      

Singh has
won 60 tournaments including three Major Championships in 16 different
countries around the world.

"I am so
proud that Fiji now has a world class tournament which brings some excellent
golfers to the country," said Singh, who is in good form on the PGA TOUR,
having already recorded a runner-up finish this year.

"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 am victorious." 

Following
Cyclone Winston, Singh believes it more important than ever that he compete in
this year’s Fiji International.

"Winston
was devastating for Fiji, but the people of Fiji are tenacious and the country
has started to recover," added 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 my competing in the tournament will
help spread the message."

Singh
this year will headline the Fiji International as it becomes co-sanctioned by
the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the first time.

"Vijay
has had an illustrious career and 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
Vijay, Fiji’s most successful sportsman, compete at the Fiji International, the
country’s largest sporting event is always a key priority for us."

"Through
the Fiji International 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.

"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.

In 2014 players
competed for AU$1.050million with this increased to AU$1.125million last year
when Kuchar won the tournament.

This year players
will be competing for AU$1.5million, the increase of over 30 per cent on last
year a result of the co-sanctioning with the European Tour.

"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 broadcast
platform."

The Fiji
International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9
October with tickets available at fijiinternational.com

About the Fiji International

The inaugural Fiji International
in 2014 signaled Fiji’s official arrival onto the global golfing stage,
with the Fijian Government, Fijian Tourism and Fiji’s number one player, Vijay
Singh, all making a push to put their country on the lucrative world golfing
map.

In 2015, the Fiji
International established a reputation amongst the world’s best golfers as a
must-attend event for themselves and their families.

This year, the Fiji
International will expand its global presence and confirm its position as an
integral tournament in the South Pacific region.

The tournament also
boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3
4th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst
socialising on the beach.

More than just a golf
tournament, the Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in
the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to
introduce and grow the game in Fiji. 

The
Fiji International is proudly supported by InterContinental
Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament until 2017.