The inaugural Thongchai Open will be held at Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin, on Sept 3-6.
To recognise Thailand's best-ever golfer, Thongchai Jaidee, for his contribution to the sport, the three-million-baht tournament will be sanctioned by both the All Thailand Golf Tour and the Asian Development Tour.
"The deal is done and it will be held at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin," said Thongchai's wife Namfon. "We received great support from our sponsors."
Namfon said that in following years, the Thongchai Open will be upgraded to be an event on the Asian Tour. She said that world No.43 Thongchai, who used to be president of the Thailand Golf Association, wanted to have the tournament held for the sake of future generations of young golfers, as it would be an excellent way for them to develop their skills.
It will be the second tournament to be held in honour of a Thai player, after the three-million-baht Boonchu Ruangkit Championship was staged at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club earlier this year.
Three-time Asian Tour No.1 Thongchai, 45, is now preparing to make his fourth appearance at the Masters.
The Thongchai Open is one of 12 legs on the All Thailand Golf Tour this year, with the final leg — the 17th Singha Masters — taking place at Santiburi Country Club in Chiang Rai on Dec 24-27.