Yang joins Asian Tour's honorary elite

Last updated: 9th November 2009

YE Yang, Asia's first Major champion, has accepted an Honorary Membership from the Asian Tour, making him the fourth player to receive such recognition.

Yang joins fellow South Korean KJ. Choi, Vijay Singh of Fiji and the reigning Asian Tour number one, Jeev Milkha Singh of India, in receiving Honorary Membership of the Tour for their 'outstanding achievements and contribution towards professional golf in Asia.

"I'm honoured to receive this recognition from the Asian Tour as I never expected it. But at the same time, I'm thankful. It is a great privilege for me," said Yang, who featured on the Asian Tour from 1999 to 2003.

The 37-year-old Yang was a late starter in the game.

He was already 19 when he picked up a club and hit a golf ball for the first time with the intention of learning to become a teacher at the local driving range on Jeju island.

But through hard work and dedication, he ventured onto the Asian Tour and enjoyed some success before winning the Korean Open and the HSBC Champions in 2006,.

At the HSBC Champions he defeated Tiger Woods, the same man he was to defeat in historic US PGA Championship triumph in August.

The Korean, whose full name is Yang Yong-eun, added: "I cut my teeth on the Asian Tour all those years ago. I wasn't a prominent player back then and now, I'm an Honorary Member. Fantastic!

"The Asian Tour opened the door to international competitions for me. I started my playing career on the Korean Tour but I found out through the Asian Tour that there was a higher level of competition. There were so many more possibilities for me and I practiced and persevered and I was diligent enough to succeed."

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han welcomed Yang into the exclusive club.

"We are privileged and honoured that Yang has accepted the Honorary Membership. Yang spent five seasons on the Asian Tour before going on to achieve success internationally and his memorable victory at the PGA Championship was truly a milestone for Asian golf.

"One of the missions of the Asian Tour is to create a truly competitive platform for our members to become world-class players and Yang's rise shows that we have succeeded.

"Along with Vijay Singh, KJ Choi and Jeev Milkha Singh, Yang will become a source of inspiration for Asian Tour players to continue to reach for the stars."