The eyes of the golfing world are turning to Thailand as the Land of Smiles gears up to host the richest tournament ever to be held on Asian soil -- the US$25million LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok.
Forty-eight golfers are Bangkok-bound to battle it out for individual and team glory as the circuit breaks new ground with Asia's inaugural LIV Golf Invitational event at Stonehill from Oct 7-9.
A stellar field including British Open champion Cameron Smith, big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau and multiple-major winners Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka will compete in the tournament.
In addition, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson will make on-air contributions to the broadcast coverage and serve as a non-playing captain at the course.
They will be joined by home heroes Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai, plus a host of Ryder Cup- and major-winning stars including Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed.
The sixth of eight events in LIV's inaugural year, the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok will hold the distinction of becoming the first international tournament to be staged at the all-new Stonehill in Pathum Thani.
LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman said: "Everyone at LIV Golf is enormously excited to bring our innovative format and elite competition to Thailand and the people of Asia. Thailand is our first Asian stop as we continue our launch, and the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok promises to be a truly incredible week for players and fans alike.
"I've been looking forward to saying this for a long time -- Asia, here we come!"
The revolutionary tournament format of LIV Golf aims to supercharge the sport of golf.
Each event sees a 48-man field compete in 12 teams of four, with a shotgun start, on-course music and entertainment that creates an electric atmosphere.
After three rounds of golf, both an individual and team champion is crowned and a prize of $25million shared.
An incredibly strong field for Bangkok features no less than 12 major champions and four former world No.1s set to be on the hunt for individual and team glory.
Thai star Phachara has featured in all five of this year's LIV Golf Invitationals, earning his spot through some top performances in the Asian Tour's new marquee International Series events, which are supported by LIV Golf.
He said: "To be playing in an event of this scale at home in Thailand is something I could only have dreamed of growing up. The quality of the field is unlike any golf event that will ever have competed here, which makes this a huge moment for not only golf, but also sports in Thailand and in Asia."
Sadom, a two-time Asian Tour winner who has also teed it up in all LIV Golf events so far this season, said: "Playing in Thailand confirms that LIV Golf is a global league, bringing the best in the world to our country and growing the game across the region. LIV Golf is something different, something very exciting, and this week is further evidence that the series is connecting with new audiences all around the world."
Tickets for the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok, starting at 800 baht, are available at thaiticketmajor.com.