French star and new ISPS HANDA ambassador Matthieu Pavon will bring his fine run of form to Japan when he returns to the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba on April 25-28. Tickets are on sale now at https://isps-championship.com/jp/
History-making Pavon became the first French winner on the PGA TOUR since 1907 with his victory at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year, following his debut DP World Tour victory at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid in November 2023.
Pavon’s breakthrough victory in the Spanish capital helped him to earn dual membership on the PGA TOUR for 2024 after finishing 15th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex. He made an instant impact, becoming the first dual-ranked member to win on the PGA TOUR in the 2024 season and shot to the top of the FedExCup standings.
The World Number 27 has now become the latest sporting star to join ISPS HANDA’s roster of global ambassadors, and will tee it up in the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP alongside fellow ambassadors including Major winning South African golf legend Ernie Els, European Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera-Bello and three-time DP World Tour winner Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
Pavon, who finished tied 35th in last year’s inaugural ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP, will tee it up in Japan again as part of an exciting April schedule where he will also make his debut at The Masters.
He said: “I’ve had an amazing few months with my first wins on the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, and I have more exciting experiences to look forward to, including returning to Japan for the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP.
“I am also pleased to confirm that I am becoming an ISPS HANDA ambassador. Dr Handa does so much for golf on the DP World Tour and beyond, and I am looking forward to becoming part of the ISPS HANDA family.”
Dr Handa said: “I am excited to welcome Matthieu to the ISPS HANDA family, and I know he will be a wonderful ambassador for us.
“He is an incredible player and has shown that on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR recently. He is a fantastic addition to the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP field and I am looking forward to seeing him play in Japan once again.”
The ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organization, and a host of stars from both Tours will compete for a US$2.25 million prize fund at the stunning Taiheiyo Club Gotemba amidst majestic views of Mount Fuji.
The tournament is the penultimate regular event in the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, and the five new ‘Global Swings’ included on the 2024 Race to Dubai will be followed by The Back Nine and then the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
Each Swing will have its own individual Swing Rankings (Major Championships do not count towards these). Each champion of the Swing Rankings will earn US$200,000 from an overall US$1,000,000 bonus pool and will also qualify for each of the events on The Back Nine.
Last season’s inaugural ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP was the first regular tournament in history to be co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the JGTO. The tournament builds on a partnership between the DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and JGTO that will see the top three players on the JGTO Order of Merit earn membership onto the DP World Tour each season.
The tournament also deepens the DP World Tour’s long-standing relationship with ISPS HANDA, the organisation founded by Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa in the belief that sport has the power to inspire, transform, and unite people and communities across social, racial and socio-economic barriers.
ISPS HANDA has supported events on the DP World Tour International Schedule for almost a decade, including the ISPS HANDA Wales Open (2012-14 and 2020), ISPS HANDA Perth International (2012-14 and 2016), ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf (2013, 2016, 2018), (ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth (2017-19), ISPA HANDA Vic Open (2019-20), ISPS HANDA UK Championship (2020), ISPS HANDA World Invitational (2021) and ISPS HANDA Championship in Spain (2022).
General admission tickets for the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP are available at the early bird price of ¥2,000, plus new offering, The Front Row, which includes front row seating at the first and 10th tees and 18th green as well as a free gift included in the price of ¥5,500. Find out more and buy tickets now at https://isps-championship.com/jp/
