Augusta National extends invites to three Asian standouts

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and China's Liang Wen-chong will make their Masters debut, while India's Jeev Milkha Singh will return to Augusta National for a second straight year after each received invitations from chairman Billy Payne.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (PA) -- Three Asian golfers ranked 79th, 81st and 91st in the world have been handed special invitations to the Masters at Augusta National.

The trio are Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, Jeev Milkha Singh of India and China's Liang Wen-chong.

Singh, winner of the European Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters in 2006, finished 37th last spring, but this will mark the Masters debut for the other two.

"These three individuals are successful, accomplished and talented golfers deserving of a Masters invitation," said Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne. "They are outstanding representatives of their respective countries.

"This is also another component in our objective of growing the game of golf worldwide utilizing the Masters brand," he added. "We think the interest in golf in each country will heighten when these players compete in the Masters."

Liang won the 2007 Singapore Masters to become only the second Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour, and also became the first Chinese player to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

Marksaeng has six Asian Tour victories to his name and has taken over from Thongchai Jaidee as his country's top-ranked player.

To date, 87 golfers have earned an invitation to compete in the 2008 Masters on April 10-13. Players may still qualify by winning a PGA TOUR event or by being among the world's top 50 the week prior to the tournament.

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