2007 DUNLOP PHOENIX TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Once again, the best players in the world will gather in Miyazaki!
The 34th Dunlop Phoenix Tournament, sponsored by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Phoenix Seagaia Resort and Mainichi Broadcasting System Inc., will be held during the tournament week starting Nov. 11 at the Phoenix Country Club in Miyazaki Prefecture. The Dunlop Phoenix Tournament offers a ¥200 million purse and a top prize of ¥40 million—both the highest in Japan.
Padraig Harrington back to defend title as British Open champion
The foreign contingent this year will be headed by defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Henrik Stenson of Sweden.
Harrington, who beat Tiger Woods in the Dunlop Phoenix playoff last year, returns to Miyzazki to defend his title as the British Open champion.
Harrington, who beat Spain’s Sergio Garcia in a playoff at the Carnoustie Links in July to achieve his dream of winning a major title, currently tops the European Order of Merit and is on track for his second straight money title.
Stenson emerged as a star with victories over some of the best golfers in the world at the Dubai Desert Classic and WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February.
Stenson is no stranger to Japan as he played in a junior competition in Osaka, but the Dunlop Phoenix will be the Japan Tour debut tournament for the Swede.
It has also been an eventful year off the course for Stenson, who became a father for the first time when his wife gave birth to a daughter on July 2.
The Dunlop Phoenix will also see the debut of England’s Luke Donald, who is ranked 15th in the world
Donald will be joined by compatriot Ian Poulter, who was sixth in last year’s Dunlop Phoenix. Poulter is not only an accomplished golfer but his popularity has risen rapidly in Japan because he is considered a fashion icon here.
Even teenage golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa is one of his fans, and the 16-year-old has golf head covers emblazoned with Poulter’s face.
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who was eighth in Miyazaki last year, will return for the third consecutive year.
Other foreign players in the field include Tim Clark of South Africa, Mikko Ilonen of Finland and Johan Edfors of Sweden, who are all making their debut in the Dunlop Phoenix.
Clark made a big splash this year when he finished second in the Masters, while Ilonen earned his spurs with a victory in the Scandinavian Masters and Edfors has become a force on the European Tour with three titles last season.
Dunlop Phoenix opens door to amateurs
This year’s Dunlop Phoenix will see the participation of an amateur player for the first time, with the entry of Suginami Gakuin freshman, Ryo Ishikawa.
Ishikawa, who turned 16 on Sept. 17, gained instant stardom when he became the youngest player to win a pro tournament when he captured the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in May.
Highlights for this year’s tournament
Padraig Harrington dashed Tiger Woods for a three-peat last year, and now is in position to join an elite list with back-to-back Dunlop Phoenix.
Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki holds the record with three consecutive Dunlop Phoenix titles starting in 1994, while Woods and Larry Mize (1989 and 1990) are the only other repeat champions. Severiano Ballesteros, Bobby Wadkins, Tom Watson and Thomas Bjørn have won the Dunlop Phoenix twice, but not in consecutive years.
Luke Donald, Henrik Stenson, Tim Clark, Mikko Ilonen and Johan Edfors will play in the tournament for the first time.
The foursome certainly has the credentials to win and join Padraig Harrington (2006), David Duval (2001), Thomas Bjørn (1999), Ernie Els (1993) and David Frost (1992) in making winning debuts.
Taniguchi closing on Japan tour money title
Toru Taniguchi, who was the Japan Tour money winner in 2002, has opened up a huge lead over Shingo Katayama in this year’s race following his recent victory in the Japan Open.
Katayama, who was the runner-up behind Taniguchi in the Japan Open, is bidding for his fourth consecutive money title.
Hideto Tanihara, second on last year’s money, won consecutive tournaments in the summer and currently sits third.
The Dunlop Phoenix will certainly be a factor in determining this year’s money champion as the winner will earn ¥40 million, the highest prize in Japan.
The rough has become more difficult. How to conquer the Phoenix Club course?
The Phoenix Country Club’s bent grass greens all have undulations and ridges. A very high putting technique is required to master these lightning quick greens.
A wind peculiar to a seaside course and large pine trees along the fairways are just two of the obstacles that must be overcome at the Phoenix course.
This year, the rough will pose a bigger problem than in previous years as it was seeded with Tifton grass, which is thicker and stronger and will force the players to hone their skills and power.
Last year, Lolium perenne (winter grass) was used for the rough. The rough was allowed to grow to 150 mm, but the players had very little difficulty hitting out of it. The height of the rough, tifton grass will be shorter (60-80 mm) this year, but the balls have a tendency to sink, making it much more difficult to get the ball up and out.
Modified website of the tournament
The website of the tournament will be improved this year.
The website includes real-time scores, tournament news, interviews with players and photos taken by official photographer. Attractive contents will also be added and presents will be offered to visitors to the website. http://www.dpt.gr.jp
PADRAIG HARRINGTON（Republic of Ireland） As of Oct. 22, 2007
Official World Golf Ranking 7th
Date of Birth：August 31,1971（35 years old）
Height：185cm /
Weight：83kg
Turned pro：1995
Total career wins：15（European Tour 12, U.S. Tour 2, Japan Tour 1）
Current Year European Tour Money and Position：€2,278,942（2nd）
Current Year Highlight：
- British Open Championship 1st
- Irish Open 1st
- Masters 7th T
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：2nd （Winner in 2006）
LUKE DONALD（England）
Official World Golf Ranking 16th
Date of Birth：December 7,1977（29 years old）
Height：180cm /
Weight：73kg
Turned pro：2001
Total career wins：4（U.S. Tour 2, European Tour 2）
Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position：$2,190,053（27th）
Current Year Highlight：
- EDS Byron Nelson Championship 2nd
- Sony Open In Hawaii 2nd T
- Mercedes-Benz Championship 7th
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：First
HENRIK STENSON（Sweden）
Official World Golf Ranking 15th
Date of Birth：April 5,1976（31 years old）
Height：187cm /
Weight：90kg
Turned pro：1998
Total career wins：9（European Tour 6,Other 3）
Current Year European Tour Money and Position：€1,986,191（4th）
Current Year Highlight：
- Dubai Desert Classic 1st
- WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship 1st
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：First
IAN POULTER（England）
Official World Golf Ranking 27th
Date of Birth：January 10,1976（31 years old）
Height：185cm /
Weight：86kg
Turned pro：1994
Total career wins：8（European Tour 7, Other 1）
Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position：$1,431,390（61st）
Current Year Highlight：
- The Quinn Direct British Masters 2nd(EUR)
- EDS Byron Nelson Championship 3rd T
- WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship 9th T
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：2nd（2006：6th T）
TIM Clark （South Africa）
Official World Golf Ranking 33rd
Date of Birth：December 17,1975（31 years old）
Height：170cm / Weight：67kg
Turned pro：1998
Total career wins：5（European Tour 3, Other 2）
Current Year PGA Tour Money and Position：$2,118,352（29th）
Current Year Highlight：
- John Deere Classic 2nd
- Ｕ.Ｓ. Bank Championship 2nd T
- ＢＭＷ Championship 5th T
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：First
MIKKO ILONEN（Finland）
Official World Golf Ranking 65th
Date of Birth：December 18,1979(27 years old)
Height：187cm / Weight：83kg
Turned pro：2001
Total career wins：2（European Tour 2）
Current Year European Tour Money and Position： €815,181（32nd）
Current Year Highlight：
- Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesian Open 1st
- Scandinavian Masters 1st
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：First
JOHAN EDFORS（Sweden）
Official World Golf Ranking 101st
Date of Birth：October 10,1975（32 years old）
Height：184cm / Weight：79kg
Turned pro：1997
Total career wins：5（European Tour 3, Other 2）
Current Year European Tour Money and Position：€372,314（76th）
Current Year Highlight：
- HSBC Champions 9th T
- Players’Championship of Europe 11th T
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：First
GONZALO FERNANDEZ-CASTANO（Spain）
Official World Golf Ranking 141st
Date of Birth：October 13,1980（27 years old）
Height：186cm / Weight：85kg
Turned pro：2004
Total career wins：3（European Tour 3）
Current Year European Tour Money and Position：€591,415（48th）
Current Year Highlight：
- Telecom Italia Open 1st
- Omega European Masters 6th T
- Valle Romano Open de Andalucia 7th T
Times played in Dunlop Phoenix：3rd（2005: 5th, 2006: 8th T）
The battlefield is a seaside course facing Hyuganada Sea.
Phoenix Country Club shapes history through the tournaments.
The battlefield is the Phoenix Country Club along the Hyuganada Sea coastline, with high pine trees separating the 27 holes course. The three nines are named Takachiho, Sumiyoshi and Nichinan, and two former nines will be used for the tournament.
The tournament course is set confirming to a world standard. This year, the grass bunker on the fifth hole has been eliminated. The change will enable golfers to use their drivers instead of laying up to avoid a hazard that no longer exists.
The course will play slightly longer this year with changes on the sixth and 15th holes.
Two yards were added to No. 6 and 10 to No. 15, making the total yardage for the course 6,919 yards.
【Data of Phoenix CC】
3083 Hamayama, O-Aza Shioji, Miyazaki City, 880-0122
Telephone: 0985-39-1301
Open: March, 1971
Design: Gokichi Ohashi
Tournament yardage: 6,919 yards, par 70
18-hole record: 61(-10) Shigeki Maruyama, 1999, 3rd round / Par 71, 6,856 yards
Broadcast of the 2007 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament
Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. has switched all the cameras to the high definition. High-definition broadcasting allows vivid images of the course and close up shots of the players.
Ground-based broadcasting
JNN affiliated 24 stations network provided by MBS
■MBS(Mainichi Broadcasting) ■TBS(Tokyo Broadcasting System)
■CBC(Chubu Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)
■RKB(RKB Mainichi Broadcasting System) ■HBC(Hokkaido Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)
■IBC(Iwate Broadcasting Co., Ltd) ■TBC(Tohoku Broadcasting Co., Ltd)
■TUY(TV-U Yamagata INC.) ■TUF(TV-U Fukushima INC.)
■BSN(Broadcasting System of Niigata Inc.) ■SBC(Shinetsu Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)
■TUT(Tulip TV) ■MRO(Hokuriku Broadcasting System)
■SBS(Shizuoka Broadcasting System) ■BSS(Sanin Broadcasting System)
■RSK(Sanyo Broadcasting Co., Ltd.) ■RCC(Chugoku Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)
■ITV(i-Television INC.) ■NBC(Nagasaki Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)
■OBS(Oita Broadcasting System) ■RKK(Kumamoto Broadcasting Co., Ltd)
■MRT(Miyazaki Broadcasting Co., Ltd.) ■MBC(Minaminihon Broadcasting Co., Ltd)■RBC(Ryukyu Broadcasting Co., Ltd)
| Wednesday, 14th Special program | 24:55-25:25 MBS local 25:25-25:55 MRT local |
| Thursday, 15th First round | 25:55-26:55 MBS local 25:25-26:25 MRT local |
| Friday, 16th Second round | 25:25-26:55 MBS local 25:10-26:35 MRT local |
| Saturday, 17th Third round | 14:00-15:54<live> JNN 24 station network provided by MBS |
| Sunday, 18th Fourth round | 15:00-16:54 JNN 24 station network provided by MBS |
Commentators: Isao Aoki, Seiichi Numazawa, Hiroshi Yamanaka
Colorcaster: Masayuki Mano
CS Broadcasting System GAORA
| Thursday, 15th First Round | 10:30~12:30 <Live> |
| Friday, 16 Second Round | 13:00~15:00 <Live> |
| Saturday, 17th Third Round | 10:00~11:30 <Live> |
| Sunday, 18th Fourth Round | 8:30~10:00 <Live> |
BS Broadcasting System BS-i
| Thursday, 15th to Sunday, 18th | 19:00~20:54 |
Relay covered areas
No.1 hole, No.10 to 18 holes
Information about tickets
You can book ticket up to Nov. 14, which is the eve of the tournament.
From 2007, the price of the daily ticket of the final day is reduced significantly from 8,000 yen (regular price) to 6,000 yen. You can watch the tournament with a lighter heart. You can buy advance tickets at 5,000 yen until Nov. 14th.
Enjoy the stirring event and watch the medalist on the spot.
The price of the daily ticket for the final day will be reduced by 2000 yen from 2007
| Data | Advance Daily Ticket | Gate Ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov.13(Tue) | Phoenix Challenge | ¥3,000 | ¥4,000 |
| Nov.14(Wed) | Pro-Am Charity | ¥3,000 | ¥4,000 |
| Nov.15(Thu) | 1st Round | ¥4,000 | ¥5,000 |
| Nov.16(Fri) | 2nd Round | ¥4,000 | ¥5,000 |
| Nov.17(Sat) | 3rd Round | ¥5,000 | ¥6,000 |
| Nov.18(Sun) | Final Round | ¥5,000 | ¥6,000 |
You can obtain the four-ticket booklet usable for all days.
If you prefer, you can use four tickets on the final day.
Weekly ticket <Four-ticket booklet usable for each day> \15,000
Nov. 13(Tue)-18(Sun): Four-ticket booklet usable on each day (One person can use one ticket on each day during specified period)
You can watch “Phoenix Challenge”, “Professional and amateur charity”, “Preliminary round” and “Final match round.”
- No admission fee is required for persons under 18 years old if they are accompanied by an adult.
- Consumption tax included.
Daily ticket booths
- Ticket Pia, Family Mart, Sunkus (Nationwide: 0570-02-9999)
(P code: 809-153 / P code Hotline:0570-02-9966) - Lawson ticket information (Nationwide:0570-000-777)
(L code: 86129 <Daily>, 86130 <Weekly> L code Hotline:0570-084-008) - am/pm, CN Playguide(Nationwide: 0570-08-9999)
- Seven-Eleven (Seven dream service center: 0077-787-711<9:00~22:00>
Cell phone and PHS: 03-6202-2711)
Daily ticket and weekly ticket booth
- Facilities in Phoenix Seagaia Resort
(Phoenix Country Club, Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort, Sun Hotel Phoenix, etc)